Among the drivel and sludge that has been 2013's movie season thus far, there are a few rare gems-- the best of them being Mud. Finally, after watching Matt Damon getting shot up and robots fighting Godzilla for three months, we are treated to what has unfortunately become a rare breed: A movie that's actually out be great. Even though the Oscars usually make horrible decisions (including even NOMINATING Extremely Shitty and Incredibly Bland), I can't see a scenario so far in which Mud doesn't claim the title of Best Picture. It's not just the best of the year; it's an American classic.
Mud stars Matthew McConaughey as the title character, a charming and charismatic outlaw hiding out in a bayou island after killing his on-again-off-again girlfriend's abusive boyfriend. He befriends two boys, Ellis and Neckbone, who bring him supplies and listen to his stories. This story, although formulaic, is told in a remarkably calm and beautiful manner. It borrows a lot of its major plot points from Huck Finn (or in this case, Hick Finn) and Tom Sawyer, but at the end of the day, it's the classical Americana feel that the movie has that really makes it work.
I don't recall McConaughey really blowing me away with any of his previous performances, but he is absolutely spellbinding as Mud. He's everything he should be-- Funny, interesting, mysterious, and fun to watch onscreen. Although you know that the character of Mud has done some fucked up shit in the past, it's clear that he's actually a good person with good intentions. In fact, he turns out to be more of a positive role model for the two boys than anyone else in their lives, including their misogynistic father/uncle. By the way, the uncle doesn't have much screen time, but Michael Shannon makes the most of the role. The guy's been great in every movie I've seen him in. In fact, he's the only reason Man of Steal Your Money got 1 and not 0/10 stars from me.
The child acting in this movie is great, but the kid playing Ellis is clearly better than the one playing Neckbone. The writers realized this, and made Neckbone into a gruff, not very articulate character who doesn't talk much. And if the movie had been about anywhere but The South, it would not have worked-- but he seems almost like a precursor to John Tuturro's character in O Brother Where Art Thou? It's very entertaining to watch. However, in terms of acting skills, the kids aren't going up against much. Who's the competition? Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace? Child actors are usually overlooked because, to be honest, they're not very good most of the time. But I'd like to recognize the fact that these kids did great.
However, Reese Witherspoon was not as "Electric" or "Excellent" as everyone has been calling her. She played the role of Mud's girlfriend, and that was it-- I didn't see her bringing much new to the table. Although I was appreciative that the writers gave her more to do than just be the generic hot girl, she herself didn't bring much more to the table than that. Her character was conflicted and somewhat selfish, but she didn't quite embody that role as much as I would have liked her to. Others will definitely say differently, but when you're starring alongside Matthew McConaughey at peak performance, you'd better have something else to offer up.
The final sequence is great, as the movie has built up tension to the boiling point and then lets it break free in a flurried yet focused action sequence that is smart, claustrophobic, and intense. The ending itself is a mite predictable, but that's to be expected from a movie like this. Although it's definitely safe and pleasant, it has a bit of an edge to it that's somewhat indescribable. That keeps it from being too sentimental or cheesy, and thank God for it. If Mud had gone for being straightforward or bland, it would have truly sucked. But thanks to great performances, strong dialogue, and a familiar yet gripping plot, it's a truly awesome film.
Final Score for Mud: 9/10 stars. It's made of unremarkable parts, but what it does with them is definitely some powerful shit. It has everything you want in a film, from great visual splendor to a well-written screenplay. I don't know if it's truly a "Modern American Classic," as it seems somewhat forgettable, but it's most definitely one of the best movies of the year. Again, it doesn't go up against much on this front, as 2013 has had A Bad Day for Die Hard and Man of Steal Your Money, but this is a movie worthy of recognition.
No comments:
Post a Comment