Mud

3 Stars (out of four)

Mud has been being hailed as Matthew McConaughey's best performance ever, and I have to say, I agree with that.  Of course, that's a bit like saying what is the best way to rip an eye out without anesthesia, but I have always thought there was something more to him than an incredibly toned midsection.  For some reason, I have always liked him in most of his movies I've seen, but they were never very demanding.  Finally, Mud provides the role and range I always knew he could play.  It reteams him, however briefly, with Reese Witherspoon, his costar from Sweet Home Alabama, a sweet romcom.

The movie takes place along the Mississippi River, where two young boys have found a boat in the branches of a tree on an island, the result of a recent flood.  They decide they are going to claim it as their own.  As they look around the hulk, they realize someone is living there.  They run away, but bump into a stranger (McConaughey) who is fishing by their boat.  He says his name is Mud and asks them to help him obtain parts to rebuild the boat.  He is running from people and wants to reunite with his lifetime love (Witherspoon), who is hiding in town.  Along the way, the boys learn about trust, friendship and the nature of love, whether it be between parents, lovers or friends.  There is a lot going on in the film, and it is nice to see that Hollywood can make the occasional great story to chew on.  The film makes no judgements on these people who are severely damaged or desperate; it just shows both the fleetness and endurance of love and it's sweet and yet sometimes awful consequences of falling for the wrong person or for the wrong reasons.  

McConaughey, while not the main character, is the motor which drives the events.  He is amazing.  While he has previously relied on his considerable charisma in his past roles, his depth of feeling in this one is nothing short of Oscar-worthy.  I hope we will continue to see such performances from him and live up to the promise he has shown in this movie.  One last note ladies, McConaughey's streak for taking off his shirt remains unbroken since U571.  But the best part is, his pecs are no longer the only thing about him.  Perhaps we are seeing a new, more mature McConaughey who will continue to surprise in the years to come.