Mud

2013 movie where Matthew McConaughey keeps his shirt on (for the most part)

Rating: 15/20

Plot: Two boys living off the mighty Mississippi help a fugitive hiding in a boat in a tree on an island. 

This movie is too long, and I'm not sure I was that interested in the main plot line about a murderer who a bunch of tough guys are after. What elevates this movie are its themes about love and how the main character--not the titular character--is trying to figure it all out. With apologies to Foreigner, he wants to know what love is and feel what love is and he wants you (or anybody) to show him. That's apparently why he puts so much faith in Mud and his stories which in no way can be the God's honest truth because nobody else around seems to love right. His parents are heading for divorce, his best pal and partner-in-crime Neckbone's got an uncle who seems to be a womanizer and all-around offender of women, older boys are just interested in copping feels. Reese Witherspoon's character eventually lets him down, too, despite the fairy tale romance he believed that whole thing to be. And then there's the relationship he forms with a high school cougar, a relationship which turns out to not be exactly what he expected or wanted. I wasn't sure what Ellis was ultimately supposed to learn from all this, but I decided this is a movie about how love can let you down but that you'll still come out just fine on the other side. Or maybe it's not about that at all since the kid doesn't even know what the audience knows by the end of the movie. McConaughey continues to take roles that he's about perfect for, and he does a good job creating this mysticism or at least mystery. You don't trust what he says, but you trust that it's a real character who's saying it all. And look at Sam Shepard and Joe Don Baker! I was most impressed with Ray McKinnon who played Holly Hunter's fiance in O Brother, Where Art Thou? as the dad in this. It's a controlled performance, and he's got these eyes that let you know there are tons of things he'd like to say that he can't because it's not in the script. The way he attacks a Ding Dong package was enough to sell that character. And give credit to the boys--Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland who play Ellis and Neckbone respectively. This dives into territories that feel too Hollywoody at times, and I'm still not sure the ultimate payoff is completely worth it, but it's a well-acted story with a lot of the natural beauty of the Mississippi to look at. If I ever watch this again, it'll be to keep better track of the religious imagery though. Crosses on shoes, snakes, a motorcycle. Were there more? And what's the deal with Mud's superstitions? And why does he seem to appear out of nowhere the first time we see him?