Mud

Matthew McConaughey is supposedly the star in this character-heavy drama focusing on the deep South and the struggles of poverty and love, but the much younger Tye Sheridan is in my opinion even more impressive. The film follows Sheridan's character Ellis and his best friend as they find a boat hanging in some trees after a flood. The boat is inhabited by McConaughey, who insists the boys call him Mud. The boys befriend him and fall into his story of love with a girl named Juniper, played by Reese Witherspoon, so you understand his desires. He tells a story of love spanning years, but eventually reveals that he's not just a swell guy trying to get his sweetheart back, but a wanted felon for a murder he admits to committing to the boys. They are undetoured in trying to assist Mud in getting the boat they found in a tree up and running because Mud needs it. The strength of the film lies in the acting, but the story is also fairly unique and interesting. There's some bumps and bruises along the way outside of the main plot that also add some spice, so I didn't find it to be boring, but I could understand if people complained. They drag you along and keep it interesting for a frenzied climax that twists and turns in ways I certainly didn't see coming. Bottom Line: 7.7 out of 10. I'm rating this perhaps a little harsher than I should, but it's really tough to put it ahead of Captain Phillips, so I feel like I'm unfairly punishing it. It's certainly worth a rental or a view on Netflix or some movie channel that it's almost certain to be on soon. I'm seeing Tye Sheridan as an up & comer if he keeps his nose clean and bulks up some in the upcoming years, because he can certainly act in my opinion. I bought the emotion, etc demanded from his character. Obviously Mconaughey is outstanding as well, but pretty much everyone shines. Losts of Boardwalk Empire alums for some reason, so that was interesting for me. Please let me know what you thought of this one because I feel like everything I put down someone could disagree with.