Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As much a trip into American myth as a coming-of-age tale, Mud initially looks to be a tougher prospect than it proves.
Two 14-year-old pals, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), exploring a remote island on the Mississippi, discover a boat lodged in a tree.
This Herzogian spectacle turns out to shelter a scapegrace outlaw and yarn-spinner named Mud (Matthew McConaughey), on the run for killing a man.
When he asks for their help to escape, Ellis discovers the hard way that love isn't always going to save a man.
The film, bolstered by Reese Witherspoon as an old flame of Mud's and Sam Shepard as his mentor, has the look of class if not much in the way of plausibility or tension.
As well as obvious genuflections to Huck Finn, it also nods to The Go-Between and Great Expectations, perhaps among the texts sacred to writer-director Jeff Nichols.
McConaughey continues his rehab as a serious screen actor, and the two boys are excellent, but Mud is lightweight stuff that will slide off the memory in no time.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments