My mom really only likes comedies
and romantic movies but I wanted to go see Mud as well as get her out of the house
so she surprisingly agreed to come with me. Mud stars Matthew McConaughey and
Reese Witherspoon but the movie really revolves around two young boys who find
the fugitive Mud, played by Matthew McConaughey and agree to help him connect
with the love of his life, Juniper, played by Reese Witherspoon.
I went into the film assuming the
movie was about Mud but it is so much more. It’s about the time when children
learn that love is not all they think it is as the main little boy’s parents go
through a separation, he gets his heartbroken by a girl at school, and even Mud
and Juniper’s relationship isn’t all it seems. It’s that moment when you’re a
kid and you realize everything Disney has told you about love is much more
complicated.
I thought that was an absolutely brilliant lesson and the way it was delivered through the boy willing to do
anything to help Mud because Mud is in love. Mud’s love is so important to the
boy because then his definition of love isn’t completely destroyed. However,
all of the events with Mud force the boy to reevaluate what love
actually is and be okay with this change.
The best friend to the boy is
brilliant by his willingness to stick by his friend through everything and
really shows what it means to be a best friend. The writer/director Jeff
Nichols did a wonderful job showing how children will help someone in need
regardless of circumstance. Children do not judge. If someone needs help then
they help. I loved the innocence and the spirit the two boys had.
Michael Shannon was incredible as
always as the best friend’s uncle. He could have easily been absent and
uncaring as an uncle who was stuck with his brother’s kid but instead he
compassionate. watchful, and an incredible guardian. Not to mention,
his constant innovation to make diving for clams easier was just awesome and
showed how unassumingly smart he is.
The cast was perfect and the
characters were incredibly complex and well-rounded. It was refreshing to have
a story full of characters that could totally exist in the real world.
If you ever get the chance in the
future, go see this movie. Seriously. Although it’s a small, indie film, it’s
one of the best ones that have come out this summer. And my mom loved (and she
never likes anything like this).
