As an adolescent I loved mucking about in the creek catching crawfish or snapping turtles or whatever other living thing I could get my hands on. I can only imagine how frightful I looked, and I shutter to think about my smell, after a day of adventuring. Luckily I grew up in a small town just at the border of Texas and Louisiana that was full of Coon Ass Cajuns. In other words, no one noticed the grimy kid with his haul of creek creatures. Because of my background, I was instantly enamored with Mud. The main characters, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Loftland), have similar lives. They live and play in the backwood rivers in Arkansas. Though, like its name sake, its a dirty existence, the story is a beautiful coming of age tale.
Mud (Matthew McConaughey), the titular character, is a shifty drifter, hiding out on an abandoned boat deposited in a tree during a floor years back. Ellis and Neckbone happen upon the boat and claim it for themselves. When they discover it is occupied Ellis strikes up a conversation with Mud. They learn Mud is hiding out until he can meet up with his girlfriend Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). Ellis is touched by this story of love and decides to help Mud. The theme of love is what makes the movie so gripping. Most of the time love depicted in the movies is little better than a sappy Hallmark card. Contrary to cherished myth, love does not magically solve all the problems youve ever had. At best it befuddles one into an undignified mess. At worst it can complete ruin ones life. At the very least it muddies the water. Yet despite all that life goes on, and even in ruin, things can and will be ok again. Thats what this movie is really about, the ugly side of the world when love destroys ones world. Mud reminds us that even though nothing is ever the same, its not the end. Underneath all the muck, theres something beautiful that you might not appreciate at first, but will eventually define who you are as a person.
Mud will be in US theatres from April 26th.