Review: Mud (movie)

Because we really know how to party in the BFR household, we celebrate New Year's Eve by inviting friends over for dinner and a movie. Okay, so the dinner usually takes me two days to make and snacks and drinks flow freely, but it's still a pretty tame event.

While looking around for viewing choices, we came across Mud (2013), starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, and Jacob Lofland; featuring Reese Witherspoon; and directed and written by Jeff Nichols. We were attracted to its southern setting, the actors, and the story line. (Bonus: Sam Shepard has screen time.)

Two young Arkansas teens--Ellis (Sheridan) and Neckbone (Lofland)--live along a river, where their families struggle to bring in money. Although they have to work during the summer, the two friends make time to go exploring. On an island in the Mississippi, the boys find a strange sight: a power boat suspended high in the trees, deposited there by flood waters. After nosing around, they realize someone has been living there, and before they can leave the island, they run across Mud (McConaughey), a local fugitive, who's waiting to be reunited with his girlfriend (Witherspoon). Despite being wary of Mud, the boys ultimately decide to help him.

This coming-of-age story really centers on Ellis, as he copes with his deteriorating home life, navigates his first crush on a girl, and gets involved in the very real dangers of helping Mud. The plot develops slowly, but the boys' friendship and interactions with Mud and their families kept our interest until we reach the heart of the action. The acting was excellent, and it was very easy to care about what happens to young Ellis.

Look for this on a streaming service; it's worth adding to your queue.