Mud (2012)

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.

Director:

Jeff Nichols

Writer:

Jeff Nichols

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland

11 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew McConaughey	...	Mud
Reese Witherspoon	...	Juniper
Tye Sheridan	...	Ellis
Jacob Lofland	...	Neckbone
Sam Shepard	...	Tom
Ray McKinnon	...	Senior
Sarah Paulson	...	Mary Lee
Michael Shannon	...	Galen
Joe Don Baker	...	King
Paul Sparks	...	Carver
Bonnie Sturdivant	...	May Pearl
Stuart Greer	...	Miller
John Ward Jr.	...	Galen's Helper
Kristy Barrington	...	Princess
Johnny Cheek	...	Kyle

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:

friendship between boys | boat | boy | river | 14 year old | 

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Taglines:

Entangled in his past. Running from the law. All for love.

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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:

Мад

Filming Locations:

Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,215,460, 28 April 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$21,590,086, 18 September 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Everest Entertainment, Brace Cove Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer/director Jeff Nichols was desperate to cast his Shotgun Stories (2007) and Take Shelter (2011) lead Michael Shannon in the film, but Shannon's participation in Man of Steel (2013) almost made it impossible. He was eventually able to clear out a few days to film the role of Galen.

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Goofs

Ellis and his mom come across a roadblock and police checkpoint of State Troopers checking cars for Mud. The Arkansas State Trooper that comes up to the window is wearing the wrong uniform. His badge is wrong, and his shirt is wrong. He has one of the cloth badges on his right shoulder, but it is the wrong shape for State Troopers. And he has an American flag on his left shoulder. Arkansas State Troopers have the cloth badge on both shoulders, not an American Flag.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Tom: [to Mud] Come on, son. You gotta see this.

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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.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Sunday Beer
Written by Corey Bacon, Alan Disaster, Matt Floyd & Jon Rice
Performed by Smoke Up Johnny
Courtesy of Thick Syrup Records

User Reviews

Director Jeff Nichols' Third Film is an Embodiment of the Classic Americana Spirit Delivered Through Heartfelt Storytelling and Pristine Cinematic Technicality

Engaging an audience in a truly captivating sense of wonder is a lost art form in the realm of cinema, or at least it has become so rare that we begin to forget how magical the silver screen experience can be. One of those rare filmmakers is writer and director Jeff Nichols who made great strides in inventive filmmaking with his second feature Take Shelter, a deeply unsettling and atmospheric thriller that reminded us that the potential for original storytelling can have equally creative follow through. Writer/director Jeff Nichols' latest atmospheric drama Mud continues his notable prestige for dramatic filmmaking by creating a pure slice of Americana; an evocative and poignant coming of age tale that borrows the lyricism of Tennessee Williams works and mixes them with the harmonious sensitivity of a Sam Shepard play, who is ironically enough in a supporting role in the film, creating a witty and insightful modern day Mark Twain influenced adventure. Keeping his respectful gaze on rural America, Nichols creates an intimate reflection on friendship, unrequited love, and youthful discovery with a rhythmic, sensitive approach towards life's realizations during childhood. Mud is one of those films where all of the creative outlets from the ethereal cinematography to the haunting cinematic score come together in perfect unison to highlight the depth within the story being told. The film unveils its inner soul with a purposefully meditative pace that might deter some from experiencing a thoughtful approach but that would be a drastic mistake because it's one of the more authentically creative and emotionally opulent movies to grace the theaters in a long while. In Mud we're not only witnessing the artistic stamp of a director who has found his distinct voice but also the final stages of resurrection in the acting career of Matthew McConaughey who has never been more focused or impassioned on the screen. While Mud might not be as finely woven as his sophomore effort Take Shelter there is no denying his latest drama's penchant for compelling drama enhanced by the heartfelt nature of the writing, the clarity in the visuals, and the honesty in all of the acting performances.

Read more: http://wp.me/py8op-xV; More reviews: Generationfilm.net