Even though Matthew McConaughey offers an engaging and compelling role in Mud, it is Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland that drive the film along as young teenagers who deal with the regrettable aftermath of them helping a fugitive called Mud. Jeff Nichols gives us a coming-of-age tale which is part fairytale, part thriller; it explores the problematic effects that love, divorce, regret and revenge can have on two young yet mature boys; Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland).
This southern story jumps between a makeshift houseboat on the banks of a river in Arkansas, the local town and the idyllic neglected island. Considering Mud is a simple yet action packed story, Nichols has made the film longer than it needs to be, dragging out the first half and rushing through the action packed events which should really be the focus point. However, the film boasts stupendous visionary cinematography and fantastic locations. Nichols successfully presents the southern life as a fairytale through the rich colours of the entangled forests, the isolation of the golden sands, the husky rusty junk yards and the corroded, pastel coloured houseboats. The setting is used as a visual metaphor of a teenager’s need of escapism and Ellis’ difficulty in accepting divorce and separation. Mud himself is also after a form of escapism, as he lives temporarily in a boat trapped in a tree, he takes on the impossible task to use that boat to escape.
Mud reminds me off Lee Daniels’ The Paperboy as both films share the same southern stylistic and dramatic qualities; however Mud offers a deeper allegorical presentation of children’s emotional and cognitive development. As you place your eyes upon the cinema screen and watch Mud, you are presented with a tranquil fairytale which you wish you could escape to yourself.
The Peter Pan ideology of not wanting to grow up is illustrated in Mud as Nichols presents the adults of the film in a haunting manner, either dwelling on past events or suffering from regret or something which is soon to happen. This is perfect as it is a film which draws the attention of young children not wanting to grow up and adults wanting to be young again. The film acts as a metaphor of escapism itself, offering an enriching visual image of acceptance, even when you really don’t want to accept.
What truly elevates Mud is the sense that there is something much bigger going on, the sense that there is a deeper meaning within the film, an ideology and allegory which we all share and can understand. It offers a means of escapism and development, focusing on the catastrophic effects of young love and obsession. Mud is a story which has many themes including friendship, love, regret and revenge; exploring the consequences of each theme in an overly dragged out manner. Even though the film is slightly too long to bear, it is definitely worth the watch.
12A Certificate
Review by LiveWire Young Film Critic, Megan Al-Ghailani (May ’13)