Mud (2012)

Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.

Director:

Jeff Nichols

Writer:

Jeff Nichols

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Matthew McConaughey	...	Mud
Reese Witherspoon	...	Juniper
Tye Sheridan	...	Ellis
Jacob Lofland	...	Neckbone
Sarah Paulson	...	Mary Lee
Ray McKinnon	...	Senior
Sam Shepard	...	Tom Blankenship
Michael Shannon	...	Galen
Paul Sparks	...	Carver
Joe Don Baker	...	King
Johnny Cheek	...	Kyle
Bonnie Sturdivant	...	May Pearl
Stuart Greer	...	Miller
Clayton Carson	...	Pryor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Abbott Jr.	...	James

Storyline

14 year-old Ellis (Tye Sheridan) lives on a makeshift houseboat on the banks of a river in Arkansas with his parents, Mary Lee (Sarah Paulson) and Senior (Ray McKinnon). He sneaks out early one morning to meet his best friend, Neckbone (Jacob Lofland). Neckbone, also 14, lives with his uncle, Galen (Michael Shannon), who makes a hardscrabble living diving for oysters. The two boys set out to an island on the Mississippi River, where Neckbone has discovered an unusual sight-a boat, suspended high in the trees, a remnant of an extreme flood some time in the past. They climb the tree and into the boat only to find fresh bread and fresh footprints. Realizing that they are not the only ones who have discovered the treehouse boat, they decide to leave. When they reach the shore, they find the same footprint in their boat. And that's when they meet Mud (Matthew McConaughey). Mud is a gritty, superstitious character; his clothes are dirty, his tooth is cracked, and he needs help. He tells the...

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Plot Keywords:

fugitive | teenage boy | boy | bounty hunter | pact | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sexual references, language, thematic elements and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 May 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ha'sipour shel Mud

Filming Locations:

Mississippi River, Eudora, Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,215,460 (USA) (26 April 2013)

Gross:

$11,650,000 (USA) (17 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Everest Entertainment, Brace Cove Productions, FilmNation Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chris Pine was originally considered for this role.

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Goofs

After Ellis falls into the creek and gets bitten by the black snakes, Neckbone runs back to the boat to tell Mud what happened. Mud, who is shirtless at the moment, grabs his shirt from the bush where it was hanging and we see Mud and Neckbone start running up the sand to the creek to help Ellis. As they run away from the camera Mud is throwing his shirt on loosely over his shoulders. In the next shot we see Mud and Neckbone running towards the camera and Mud's shirt is fully buttoned up.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cleveland Show: California Dreamin' (All the Cleves Are Brown) (2013)

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Soundtracks

"May Pearl"
Written and Performed by Jeff McIlwain

User Reviews

The best movie so far for 2013

I went into "Mud" with no idea of what it was about. I immediately had flashbacks to "Stand By Me". That said, I think "Mud" is a better movie. I thought the acting was exceptional, the photography both real and lush, the lighting well done, and the story was fresh, real, and terrific. The direction MUST have been terrific also, as the result is a near-perfect film that everyone can and should enjoy.

The 2 young actors (playing the characters of Ellis and Neckbone) were amazing -- especially Tye Sheridan playing the lead character, Ellis. Sam Shepherd was great as Ellis' "assassin" neighbor (and longtime friend of Mud), the actor who played Ellis' dad was TERRIFIC and stole every scene he was in. Reese Witherspoon was only on film for perhaps 10 minutes but she was perfect as Mud's white-trash girlfriend. And this was Matthew McConaughey's best job EVER. (Until now only his role in The Lincoln Lawyer was good to my mind, and I was tired of his constant good-old-pretty-boy act in everything else!) I hope it was not made too early to get consideration for the Academy Awards next year. Although it's a lowish-budget independent film, "Mud" is sure to become a classic! I saw it the other night with my wife... and I plan to see it again soon with my teenage son.