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Mud

  • 20122012
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,082
238
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Matthew McConaughey in 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.
Play trailer2:27
6 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama

Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,082
238
  • Director
    • Jeff Nichols
  • Writer
    • Jeff Nichols
  • Stars
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Tye Sheridan
    • Jacob Lofland
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jeff Nichols
  • Writer
    • Jeff Nichols
  • Stars
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Tye Sheridan
    • Jacob Lofland
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 349User reviews
    • 387Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 15 wins & 39 nominations

    Videos6

    UK Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:27
    UK Trailer #1
    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:31
    Theatrical Version
    Clip 2
    Trailer 1:58
    Clip 2
    Clip 1
    Clip 1:06
    Clip 1
    "Two Ways to Protect Myself"
    Clip 1:04
    "Two Ways to Protect Myself"
    Clip 1
    Clip 1:56
    Clip 1

    Photos166

    Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, and Jacob Lofland in Mud (2012)
    Ray McKinnon in Mud (2012)
    Matthew McConaughey, Jeff Nichols, Tye Sheridan, and Jacob Lofland in Mud (2012)
    Tye Sheridan in Mud (2012)
    Sam Shepard in Mud (2012)
    Matthew McConaughey and Tye Sheridan in Mud (2012)
    Reese Witherspoon in Mud (2012)
    Reese Witherspoon in Mud (2012)
    Sarah Paulson in Mud (2012)
    Matthew McConaughey and Jeff Nichols in Mud (2012)
    Matthew McConaughey in Mud (2012)
    Jeff Nichols in Mud (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Matthew McConaughey
    Matthew McConaughey
    • Mudas Mud
    Tye Sheridan
    Tye Sheridan
    • Ellisas Ellis
    Jacob Lofland
    Jacob Lofland
    • Neckboneas Neckbone
    Sam Shepard
    Sam Shepard
    • Tomas Tom
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Juniperas Juniper
    Ray McKinnon
    Ray McKinnon
    • Senioras Senior
    Sarah Paulson
    Sarah Paulson
    • Mary Leeas Mary Lee
    Michael Shannon
    Michael Shannon
    • Galenas Galen
    Joe Don Baker
    Joe Don Baker
    • Kingas King
    Paul Sparks
    Paul Sparks
    • Carveras Carver
    Bonnie Sturdivant
    Bonnie Sturdivant
    • May Pearlas May Pearl
    Stuart Greer
    Stuart Greer
    • Milleras Miller
    John Ward Jr.
    • Galen's Helperas Galen's Helper
    Kristy Barrington
    • Princessas Princess
    Johnny Cheek
    • Kyleas Kyle
    Kenneth Hill
    • Nelsonas Nelson
    Michael Abbott Jr.
    Michael Abbott Jr.
    • Jamesas James
    Earnest McCoy
    • Man at Budget Innas Man at Budget Inn
    • Director
      • Jeff Nichols
    • Writer
      • Jeff Nichols
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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 boys he will give them the treehouse boat, his current hideout, in exchange for food. Neckbone is reluctant, but Ellis brings food to Mud, and they develop a tentative friendship. Ellis learns that Mud has killed a man in Texas, and police and bounty hunters are looking for him, but Mud is more concerned about reuniting with his longtime love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). Ellis, who has recently developed his own crush, agrees to help Mud escape with Juniper. Ellis and Neckbone carry out bold schemes in an effort to protect Mud and relay messages to Juniper, who is holed up in a fleabag motel, under constant surveillance by Carver (Paul Sparks), a Texas bounty hunter. Carver and his gang are intent on capturing Mud, on orders from the cold-blooded King (Joe Don Baker). As the boys risk everything to reunite these seeming mythical lovers, Ellis's own ideas about love and romance are challenged by the strains in the relationships closest to him: his parents' marriage is dissolving while he himself falters in his efforts to impress May Pearl (Bonnie Sturdivant). Through it all, Ellis struggles to look for an example of love that he can believe in, learning about the unspoken rules and risks of love and the reality of heartbreak. —Roadside Attractions
    • southern gothic
    • river
    • friendship between boys
    • character name as title
    • lionsgate
    • 52 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Entangled in his past. Running from the law. All for love.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for some violence, sexual references, language, thematic elements and smoking
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Reese Witherspoon had an accident shortly before filming started; her bruises and cuts are real. Instead of covering them with make-up or waiting until she healed more, Jeff Nichols decided to film her like that because it suited the character.
    • Goofs
      Mud says that the same snake antivenom cannot be used twice on the same person. While it is true that repeated use of first-generation antivenoms can cause severe allergic reactions, modern antivenoms can be used repeatedly safely.
    • Quotes

      Mud: She is like a dream you don't want to wake up from.

    • Crazy credits
      Everest Entertainment donates a portion of its profits from each film to charity. By watching an Everest film you have made a difference. We thank you.
    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: Pain & Gain (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Everything You Need
      Written by Ben Nichols

      Performed by Lucero

      Courtesy of Empty Road Music

    User reviews349

    Review
    Top review
    Boys Own Adventure becomes a coming-of-age and adult drama.
    Two boys make their way along the Mississippi River to an island where they find a boat up a tree, however they quickly discover that they are not alone. A mysterious man is living on the island and when they encounter him, their adventure gets a lot more serious.

    The setting for this film is the Mississippi River. It dominates this film as it dominates the lives of the main characters in this film. This is not a film about small-town America. There is a small town, in which everyone knows everyone, but most of the action takes place out of town, out on the river, and out in the uninhabited areas of the river's ecosystem. The two fourteen year old boys and their families, are river people, making a precarious living from the river. Life is hard but the people are hard-working, honest and resourceful. If Mark Twain was writing now, and had not been seduced into doing graphic novels, these are the people he would be writing about. In fact, this film does homage to Mark Twain; Huckleberry Finn was based on a childhood friend of Mark Twain's called Tom Blankenship, the name of a character in this film. This film then, essentially, is a modern up-date of that genre.

    The two boys are played superbly by Ty Sheridan and Jacob Lofland. Their characters are fourteen-years old, hardened and matured by their environment. The two actors seem believable and natural in their roles. Chris Pine was originally considered for the role of the mysterious stranger, and with his blue eyes and young looks, he would have looked attractive and charismatic as he encountered the boys. I bet he wishes he had been in this well-scripted film. However Pine's loss is Matthew McConaughey's gain. Robinson Crusoe was never like this. I doubt if Pine could play this as well as McConaughey, who lives this role. Actor? This guy looks like he has done nothing, but, live on the river, all his life. You totally believe he is living on this island. If there was a Best Eating Baked Beans Oscar, he would get it! A totally convincing performance! All performances were great. Not just of McConaughey and the two boys, but of all the supporting actors too. At first you are unsure who is who in the families. They seem a little cold but as the film progresses the characters develop. All are believable. The female roles, there are three, are all strong and well developed. The lovely Reese Witherspoon, star of 'Legally Blonde', like Sharon Stone in 'Casino', shows here that she can play a gritty role. Youngest actress, Bonnie Sturdivant, like the boys, got it just right. Older actors too were great; Sam Shepard, who played his role with some depth, and it was good to see Joe Don Baker in a small role.

    All actors played their roles convincingly. As said, their lives are hard; they are plain-speaking people, however the occasional bit of laconic home-spun philosophy, will also be said.

    This movie is beautifully filmed, lovely rich colours. The river is filmed lovingly, so too the way of life. The film is a homage to the life and the river. However while we see beautiful scenes of the river, we see too the grittier scenes of urban decay and dereliction and waste. All filmed well.

    The UK rating of this film is 12A, though this reviewer thinks it unsuitable for anyone under 14 years of age. There are many different threads and themes to this film and it is unclear what will be resolved. Friendship, family, life and death, love and violence are all explored. The adult themes are not hidden. The boys have to try figure out the truth and act accordingly. The film is very much seen through their eyes. However we do see a little bit more than the boys see. What is the truth? What to do? The truth is not very clear, clear as mud, perhaps. No real judgement is made about the truth, or the characters, or their decisions. Their lives are too rich and complex for that sort of simplistic verdict.

    So at the end of this film, a fourteen year old boy may have learnt something, and others, so too may you. 10/10.
    helpful•73
    22
    • guchrisc
    • May 21, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 10, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kẻ Chạy Trốn
    • Filming locations
      • Mississippi River, Eudora, Arkansas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Lionsgate
      • Everest Entertainment
      • Brace Cove Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,590,086
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,215,891
      • Apr 28, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,613,173
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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