MUD - Growing up is an adventure

Teenage can be very confusing. It's the phase where we have half conceived ideas about adulthood and we want to reach towards it in a hurry.Along the way there are a few adventures and heartbreaks we never forget.At the end of these adventures, we come of age and our thinking are changed forever.Mud is the story of one such beautiful-yet-heartbreaking adventure which would stay with the viewers long after it ends.

Mississippi adolescents Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are exploring along the mighty Mississippi when they stumble upon a small island inhabited by Mud (Matthew McConaughey), a desperado who claims to be on the run from brutal bounty hunters after killing a man in Texas. According to Mud, his true love Juniper (Reese Witherspoon) is awaiting his arrival in town, and together they plan to make a daring escape. Fascinated, the two boys agree to help Mud slip past his pursuers, despite the potential dangers of doing so. The story of Mud inspires and motivates Ellis in his otherwise crumbling life where his parents are thinking of separation and his childhood home is in danger of being shredded apart.His decision to help Mud somehow seems more of helping himself.Neckbone is initially skeptical,though he gradually warms to the outsider.

But often life does not turn out according to our plans.These are the roadblocks which teach us most of the important lessons in life. It is the same with Mud and his simple plan of escape.Mud is about the fragility of men, the craving to be loved — by a woman, by other men — and how easily that love is misplaced, taken away, cheated or lost. The kid may think it’s about all loving each other, but Eillis  discovers that love leaves lots of wishes to be desired, and many complications in the spells it conjures.Both of the boys have matured by the time the end credit rolls.

The cinematography and the score may seem too dry and cynical at times but this story was never about glee and mirth.Both the teen actors give excellent performance, but the heart of this movie is Matthew McConaughey. He has been going through a purple patch lately and it seems here that he has been practically living on the island all his life.His rugged looks and his transformation from a tough self assured macho guy to a slightly sensitive and frail guy is worth some accolades.Add to that his pair of false teeth and the Arkansas accent. I will not be surprised if he gets an academy nomination for his role. All the supporting actors play their part well.

Coming of age movies are a sort of rarity these days. I remember enjoying the classics like Stand By Me and The Breakfast Club, and Mud surely finds a place almost equal to that.At a time when certain highly anticipated and big budget films are disappointing big time, it is good to see a small movie take the audience by surprise with its solid story and mature performance. Lovers of high paced action movies may not like this, but any genuine movie lover would certainly appreciate the offering.

WORTHY MENTIONS 

Chris Pine was in talks for the title role in May 2011. Despite this, Matthew McConaughey was always writer/director Jeff Nichols's first choice.

Writer/director Jeff Nichols came up with the concept for the film in the 1990s. 

MY VERDICT

**** - You will remember your teenage