Mud

Directed & Written By: Jeff Nichols

Starring:

Tye Sheridan

Jacob Lofland

Matthew McConaughey

Reese Witherspoon

Paul Sparks

Michael Shannon

Sam Shepard

 

Mud is Jeff Nichols’s new film about two boys, Ellis and Neckbone, who discover a boat in a tree which belongs to Mud. The three of them become friends but who is Mud and can he be trusted?

 

Jeff Nichols is fast becoming one of my favourite writer-directors. He has original ideas that have never been done before. His films are unique and not Hollywood recycled rubbish.

 

Matthew McConaughey puts in a good performance as Mud and for the first time ever I actually liked one of his films. He is steering away from rom-coms thankfully and here I can see that he has the potential to be great.

 

Reese Witherspoon plays Mud’s girlfriend very well but it’s not the famous Hollywood stars that impress as much as the two child actors, especially Tye Sheridan.

 

If both of them stick to serious roles they can succeed and be great some day. Tye Sheridan is the best in this film as Ellis and I think he’s the best child actor since Freddie Highmore. Also Paul Sparks plays a good bad guy.

 

It is surprising to see Michael Shannon play a completely different character and even though it is a small role it is a fresh performance and he shows that he has range and diversity.

 

Overall, Mud is not your typical Hollywood movie but that is why it succeeds. Between an original story and good direction this movie is a must-see.

 

8/10 – Michael

9/10 – Cody

85%

 

Take Shelter

Directed & Written By: Jeff Nichols

Starring:

Michael Shannon

Jessica Chastain

Shea Whingham

Tova Stewart

Katy Mixon

 

Take Shelter is Jeff Nichols’s new film about Curtis LaForche, you average everyday working class man who begins to be plagued by nightmares and hallucinations.

 

Curtis is torn between assuming he has a mental illness and seek help or are these nightmares a sign. He tries to keep his life intact and his wife Samantha and his deaf daughter Hannah happy. He is already struggling with trying to pay for medical bills for his daughter and the nightmares begin to take hold of his life.

 

He becomes obsessed with building a bomb shelter to protect his family. His wife becomes worried and Curtis tries to keep himself sane and protect his family at the same time.

 

Take Shelter is a beautifully directed film by Jeff Nichols’s, with picturesque shots of scenery throughout. The CGI in some scenes is very impressive.

 

Jessica Chastain plays the concerned and worried wife brilliantly. She shows diversity as a loving, stay-at-home wife compared to her independent, ambitious Maya in “Zero Dark Thirty”.

 

However, it is Michael Shannon who amazes from beginning to end. He can easily switch from a loving, caring father and husband to an erratic and haunting man. The scenes with his wife and especially, with his daughter when they are learning sign-language show that he can play a sympathetic person with ease. Shannon’s performance reminded me of Russell Crowe’s performance in “A Beautiful Mind” as both characters know they are losing their minds but are struggling to keep themselves sane for their families and themselves.

 

Take Shelter is a slow-paced film but it will not bore you in the slightest. It is tense throughout and you are intrigued to find out what happens next.

 

10/10 – Michael

10/10 – Cody

100%