Mud Directed by: Jeff Nichols Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Reese Witherspoon Rating: PG-13 Release Date: April 26, 2013
Trailer Score: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: "It's a hell of a thing, ain't it? A hell of a thing." I love the way Matthew McConaughey says that line to close this out, and I was hoping it's what I would be saying about the trailer itself. Alas, it's not quite the knockout I was hoping for. Still, I've been looking forward to this film for a while now, and this very good trailer did nothing to change that.
I liked Jeff Nichols’ Take Shelter quite a lot, so I was always going to be on board for his follow up. Casting Matthew McConaughey, who miraculously pulled a 180 and reclaimed his cool, only boosted that. He looks great spouting off wisdom such as, “There are things you can get away with in this world and there are things you can’t.” The entire cast is very strong. It’s nice to see Michael Shannon back with his Take Shelter director, as well as additions like Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard, and the two boys who encounter Mud. Indeed, Jacob Lofland and The Tree of Life’s Tye Sheridan could be breakouts. Sheridan is especially impressive, both at the beginning with Lofland and later opposite McConaughey (“Everything you told me was a lie,” in particular). The music also does a nice job of adding to the mood. All things considered, I want to know more about Mud (the film and the mysterious character). Not much more I can ask of a trailer than that.