OK for kids 14+
Poignant coming-of-age tale has some edgy content.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Mud is a nuanced coming-of-age drama about two 14-year-old boys who befriend a mysterious man (Matthew McConaughey) with a dangerous past. Expect plenty of tense sequences, fist-fighting violence, one big shoot-out that leaves several men dead, and a fair bit of strong language (the boys say "s--t" a lot, as well as the occasional "bitch," "ass," and more). As for sexuality, one of the boys is smitten with an older girl, and they share a couple of kisses; his friend asks about her "t-tties" and is excited to find a stash of old Penthouse magazines (no graphic images shown). An uncle is known for "doing it" to the song "Help Me, Rhonda" and gives the boys terrible advice. Despite the film's language and references to adolescent and adult sexuality, Mud is the kind of thought-provoking film that teens and parents could watch and discuss together.
- Families can talk about the similarities between Mud and other stories about kids who befriend enigmatic older characters, like Huckleberry Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird. How does the movie contain elements of both a Southern Gothic and a coming-of-age story?
- In what ways does Mud's setting influence the boys' personalities? How are they different than the people they consider "townies"? What does Ellis' father mean about enjoying the river while he can?
- There's a lot of talk about love and relationships. What relationship models do Ellis and Neckbone have in their lives? Are any of them positive? Why is Ellis so heartbroken about Juniper and Mud's relationship? What are his views on love?
- Do you think Mud is a man worth helping, or not? On the one hand, he's a criminal and a known liar, but on the other, his actions seemed justifiable by his love. The filmmaker, like the boys, doesn't judge Mud too harshly -- but what about you?
The good stuff
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Messages: This is a story about redemption and love and the universal heartache that comes with growing up and being rejected and not knowing what's right and what's wrong. Ellis and Neckbone are constantly given advice about what it means to be a man, to love a woman, and to protect those you love, but they have to discover what's true for themselves.
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Role models: Not a ton of clear role models -- the boys make questionable decisions, Mud admits he killed a man, Juniper doesn't keep her promise, and Galen is an admitted womanizer. But when it comes down to it, Mud is willing to put himself at risk for the boys, and vice versa. The characters' friendships are unconditional, as is Ellis' parents love for him.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several fist fights, two between teenage boys and one in which an adult pops a teen boy in the eye. A man nearly chokes a woman and cuts her with a knife. A boy is bitten by a snake; his leg swells horribly, and he slips into unconsciousness before being taken to the hospital. A big gun fight toward the end of the movie leaves several people dead or injured.
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Sex: A 14-year-old boy flirts with an older girl and goes on one date with her. They kiss twice. Neckbone asks Ellis whether he touched a girl's "t-tties" and excitedly flips through a stack of Penthouse magazines (no graphic images shown) saying innuendo-filled exclamations like "You've got to see these." Neckbone tells Ellis that "Help Me, Rhonda" is his uncle's "'doing it' song," and then a woman in a cleavage-baring tank top runs out and tells Neckbone that he should treat a girl like a princess, not like his no-good uncle. A woman flirts with and embraces a man who nuzzles on her neck. The uncle tells the boys that when a woman breaks your heart, you have to go find another and "get your tip wet again." A 17-year-old girl is shown laughing and flirting with a boy in his car.
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Language: The word "s--t" is used in nearly every scene, especially by one of the boys. Other strong language includes "bitch," "bulls--t," "t-tties," "ass," "hard on," and more.
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Consumerism: Cans of Beanie Weenie are shown a couple of times. Many Ford trucks. A Geo Metro and Pontiac Fiero are shown. Neckbone wears a Fugazi T-shirt. People shop at a Piggy Wiggly.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A few adult characters drink quite a bit -- Ellis' father, Mud, Juniper -- usually alone, but also at a bar. An adult smokes cigarettes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Mud = Gold! by MedRed
For a plot that could easily have been a train wreck, Mud far exceeded expectations.
Mud takes a look into a brief, but pivotal moment in the life of Ellis, an innocent 14 year old living on the Mississippi river. This coming of age tale shows Ellis the gray area of adult life that exists between the black and white mentality of a child.
Mud's art direction and attention to detail are fantastic. This is is the first movie I've seen in a long time where someone hung up the phone with a "bye." A minor detail of something broken in one scene remains broken at the end of the movie.
The development of every character is excellent, and it's easy to identify and sympathize with all of them. Other than a bit of overly obvious foreshadowing and a few mud puddles the plot has to jump over, Mud is a solid movie that shows how the story is told is just as important as the story.
There is nothing during or after the credits
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5
Mud by cfarghaly
Matthew McConaughey makes an Oscar Winning performance in Mud. The whole cast of Mud was believable as dwellers of a small Arkansas town. Break out performances from the young men playing Ellis and Neckbone. Looking forward to seeing these two young actors in many more films.
5
what woman doesn't drool over Matthew McConnaughey but? by latkinson000
Ojk, so Matthew didn't clean up this whole movie but the movie was fabulous, I thought! I just loved it on so many levels, I think his acting was superb. But it was those 2 young boys that made the movie. There acting was wonderful & they carried the movie. It should make you thankful that you have $ to go see a movie because they come from a different world than most of us as far as poverty goes. I thought the script had funny parts & it gave me hope that there really are men who do love.....go see it.
5
Well Worth Seeing, Big Time! by mmit911
Great acting by Mathew, and......the two boys!! It keeps you in suspense in all ways, and the boys were so challenging in resolving their desires to help "Mud". As far as "Reese", I won't go there! I think its ok for kids, too.
5
This is a Genuine Authentic Real Film by Protoplasm
This is not a movie like so many that are casualties of talent, or studio production hamstrings that ultimately fall short of the creative ambitions and released as mere cinematic "efforts" - this is a movie that "achieves". The splendor of Jeff Nichol's immersive and captivating story of life's everyday heroes and villains that "come down the river" can not be missed.
5
Thoroughly Unique, Strong On Talent, Stronger Still On Story. by Alon Patterson
It's a rare privilege nowadays to find something genuine and altogether unique at the movies. Rarer still is finding that and actually being entertained. This film is one of those rare gems. Among the many hundreds I see on screen every year, all around the world, I reserve my highest praise to those which actually deserve it. When I see a film, I'm a paying customer and as such, I'm not biased by other interests. I sit out there in the dark many times all alone, others crowded by hundreds of strangers, but when the lights go down all efforts are equal. Even the appeal of the subject matter to me is set aside until the credits roll. This one is a MUST SEE for any movie goer who enjoys story driven, dialog rich, deep character study with simply amazing performances, all wrapped up into one great story. The children alone that lead this cast have very bright futures in film, should that be their choice. See this movie. You won't be disappointed.
5
Powerful - Raw Emotions - Must See by twschaible
The synopsis doesn't justify the story as it unfolds - great story and super acting. While expectations were low going in, the Wow factor kicked in quickly. This is an award candidate between the acting, characters and filming. Excellent Movie!!
3
Simply Muddy by Linkie11
I found Mud to be a little too long and slow moving. The acting is
superb by both Matthew and the boys, but the story gets bogged
down in the reasoning as to why Mud is hiding on an island. You
understand he is the object of revenge from someone's family because
he killed a member of that family, but it never really explains any details
of the incident. Until the end, you really don't get the "life lessons" the
movie intended, but overall, it was a good character study.
5
Mesmerizing by hrdecisions
All around fantastic view of a seldom seen slice of rural America expertly acted, directed, and filmed. Every actor's performance seemed as genuine as the surroundings.
5
Mud by macapple
I enjoyed Mud very much. The acting was excellent. The boys were wonderful and Matthew McConaughey definitely deserves awards for this performance with and without his shirt.
This film is for kids age 8 and up and for everyone who loves a good story.