Mike Nichols's excellent rite-of-passage drama channels Whistle Down The Wind, Stand By Me and, mainly, Huckleberry Finn. Two 14-year-olds, Ellis and Neckbone, unearth a charismatic fugitive, Mud (Matthew McConaughey), hiding out near the Mississippi river. He impresses the noble Ellis, in particular, with his enduring love for a childhood sweetheart (Reese Witherspoon), so he promises to reunite Mud with her. There are some strong cameos here from Sam Shepard and Ray McKinnon, but it's the relationship between the boys, played by the impressive Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, and Mud that captivates.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies