Mud

Deb 9     Me 9

Whatta pleasant surprise. The previews didn't look that compelling but it came recommended and the timing fit so there we were.  This features a few phenomenal kid actors; they must start at four in some actor factory and by the time they're teens they're absolutely amazing. There are some veterans here too. Matthew McConaughey, Sam Shepard and Reese Witherspoon all did fine. It is set in the south, a land that seems to be from another planet or at least another time. Beasts of the Southern Wild was set there too and I didn't know what part of the world they were in until the end.

This is set to a slow southern pace with clear actions and simple dialog. It is just great storytelling that concedes to only a few Hollywood demands. The actors are good looking underneath, but wear a healthy crust of experience on the outside. The people who populate the movie seemed honest and well intentioned. It covered a lot of bases, romance, encroachment of society on a small river town, loyalty. Its a big sampler plate of issues that are measured out in just the right amounts, enough to justify their being introduced, but not so much as to over power the palate. Really well done on all levels.