One of the more interesting developments in Hollywood recently has been that Matthew McConaughey has turned from more than a punchline and into more of an actor. I'm not saying he isn't still funny or an easy addition to a joke. His laid-back demeanor and Texas drawl are just begging for comedy. He has proven though that he is a respectable actor who is hired in movies by directors like Lee Daniels, Steven Soderbergh, and even Christopher Nolan. His latest performance is in Jeff Nichols's "Mud". He plays the titular character with all the drawl we have come to expect from McConaughey. It just so happens that that drawl fits the character and the film perfectly.
Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are two middle schoolers who lived alongside the Mississippi River. They are bored and spent most of their time on the river, trolling for fish they can freeze and sell to the townsfolk. They also enjoy spending time in their treehouse on a remote island which is acutally much more of a treehouse-boat. The boat, located high up in a tree, has no owner and no sign of how it got there. On one of their visits, Ellis and Neckbone run into a man named Mud (McConaughey). Sly and personable, Mud asks the boys if they wouldn't mind going into town and getting him food. He can't leave the island as he is waiting for his girlfriend Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). It is with this action, that the two boys get themselves into a darker situation than they had expected as Mud proves to be more than they expected and yet exactly as they expected.
Jeff Nichols is coming off of 2011's "Take Shelter", a film that would have received much more award attention had it been released at a better time and had it received a proper advertising budget. Nichols again proves that he is one of the more promising new-comers. His writing and directing show a filmmaker who could produce something great in the next few years. He lingers just long enough on shots so that he makes his point but never beats you down with it. While "Mud" is not nearly as powerful or as riveting as "Take Shelter", it still shows Nichols in a good light.
McConaughey is a natural fit as Mud. One of the often maligned parts of his acting ability is that he essentially plays himself. His characterization of Mud is no different. McConaughey is a charming, good-looking rascal and that is his character here as well. Still, he plays his standard role very well and it fits the character extremely well. Witherspoon is essentially wasted as Juniper, a woman of few words or actions. Her role could have been played by any 30-something actress although it is nice to know that she can branch out from big-budget romantic comedies and do semi-independent film again. Nichols mainstay (and soon to be extremely sought-after actor following his performance in this summer's "Man of Steel") Michael Shannon appears in a supporting role as Neckbone's uncle. There is a part of me that wonders what he might have done with a character like Mud even though McConaughey is such a natural fit.
Much of the acclaim for "Mud" will not go to McConaughey but to the performance by Sheridan as Ellis. The characterization and delivery of Ellis seems natural and propels the film forward. One scene in particular between Mud and Ellis near the end after a realization is "Oscar-bait" in the best way. His performance is very reminiscent of River Phoenix in "Stand By Me" or Jamie Bell in "Undertow". There is not one moment we don't believe this boy is a 14-year old who honestly has no idea what is going through his mind or what he is getting himself wrapped up into. While his performance will more than likely be forgotten come next Oscar season, Sheridan is definitely someone to watch in the upcoming years.
Like "Take Shelter", Nichols somewhat fumbles his way through the third act. He builds tension incredibly well and pulls viewers in so tight that very few endings could complement them. The final 20 minutes of "Mud" feels oddly out-of-place, like a film with not enough time to adequately tie everything up. While it does not totally disappoint, it isn't the ending the film deserves. One hopes Nichols can figure out how to master an ending in his next film as he certainly knows how to build something up.
Much like its main character, "Mud" breezes through with a charismatic attitude that hides dark and mysterious undertones. It again proves that Nichols is on his way to something great, that we should probably compliment McConaughey at least 1/3 as much as we poke fun, and that there are some truly great child actors out there working today and hopefully in the future.
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