We saw this (just released) movie on Friday in our little, close by, art theater, The Enzian.It was a hit at the Cannes Film Festival, but not sure how it will do in real life. It's slow moving and filled with symbolism. Matthew McConaughey is Mud. But this is really a Coming of Age movie about two 14 year old boys living on the Mississippi River in Arkansas. Ellis and Neckbone.
At it's core, it's about Ellis.
And it's about the Mississippi River. We got into the theater a bit late so sat together on a couch, up close, on the main floor, looking up, with our heads pressed against the back of the couch. The screen covered our entire field of vision. So, from the very first scene, Dave and I felt like we were on the Mississippi.
The river is dirty, and, at the same time, life giving. This was made clear toward the end when the guys are bringing up clams while a dead body floats in the water.
As I said, Matthew's name in the movie is Mud - and he's covered with it. The Mississippi River is notoriously muddy. The shanty houseboats are muddy. The depressing town, including the motel and the Piggly Wiggly are muddy.
Some reviewers have called MUD a Huckleberry Finn movie. I don't think so. Way too gritty and real. It's the real south, The poor south. The violent south. But it's asking questions about love and loyalty and values.
Ellis needs to know "Do you love her?"
The last third of MUD gets exciting. Mud becomes somewhat of a Christ-like figure, only in that he is willing to risk his life to save another.
There are several big stars in MUD. My guess is that most of them would have been willing to work for nothing. There's a trashed up and sad Reese Witherspoon. Sam Shepard plays Ellis' sad father as only Sam Shepard can play sad. Joe Don Baker plays another sad father who perverts religion in a way that is, unfortunately, done all the time, all over the world.
The "shoot em up" ending wasn't real. This is rarely how things culminate - even in the south.
The actual ending, where Ellis is dropped off by his dad in town, was real and good. Ellis has a "New Life." I like new life endings.
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