After some breakout hits in the 90s, actor Matthew McConaughey seemed to settle into a rut of at-best mediocre rom-coms. It was, after a very promising start to his fame, a rather disappointing suggestion that maybe he wasn’t going to be more than just a handsome, laconic guy who made a lot of lackluster movies that were mostly about handsome, laconic guys getting some woman after a series of rather ridiculous scenarios that people in the real world never deal with. Then, something happened and McConaughey reminded everyone he was a genuinely talented actor with a series of movies that challenged his image and put him back where he started as a talented actor with a lot of natural charisma and maybe a touch of laconic weirdness.
I’ve heard it called “the McConaughissance,” and one of the first movies to help him right his career may have been 2012’s Mud.
Two boys, Ellis and Neckbone (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland), are off exploring an island on the river near their home, specifically a boat lodged in a tree, when they encounter a man who refers to himself only as “Mud” (McConaughey). He says he’s waiting for his girlfriend Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), the boat is his, and he needs some help getting the boat fixed so the two of them can sail away together. The romance of the story appeals to the two boys, both about 14, particularly Ellis. Ellis is just starting to notice girls, and his parents are starting to divorce, so Mud’s story appeals to him. It isn’t long before the boys are looking for Juniper and Mud’s old mentor Tom (Sam Shepherd), finding supplies, and learning why Mud is on the island. See, his love Juniper got pregnant by another man, who then caused her to lose the baby, so Mud killed him. And while the cops are after Mud, the bigger problem is the dead man’s well-off family, raising a posse and keeping an eye on Juniper because, well, Mud will eventually show his face for her.
Much of what follows show Ellis, moreso than Neckbone, growing up and learning some harsh lessons about the world. That girl he likes may not like him back. His father may not be so cut-and-dried the bad guy in his life. And the charismatic fugitive in the woods who tells stories about his life involving seven league boots and protective shirts may not be the most honest man around, but that doesn’t make him as dangerous as some other people.
Seriously, as soon as I saw Paul Sparks, I figured him for a villain because, well, he often is. Even when he isn’t, he looks like he should be.
Knowing this movie was about an escaped murderer, I was pleasantly surprised at how much McConaughey’s laconic charm played into the role. Mud comes across as more misguided than dangerous. It’s easy to see why Ellis and Neckbone opt to help him. He’s a romantic who may be in love, but no one seems to much ask what Juniper wants. Given she was pregnant by another man, it should seem like Mud is maybe not the love of her own life. Still, Mud seems more inclined to use violence only when people he cares about are in danger, and as much as he is a wanted criminal, there are far worse people in this area. It makes it easier to root for Mud, and having seen a few other movies from writer/director Jeff Nichols, this sort of movie seems more like a rural, Southern version of the film noir, and I am a huge fan of that genre in general. Once again, I find myself wondering why I didn’t check something like this out sooner.
Grade: B+
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