"A multilayered and stimulating feature that continues to mark the rise of this immensely talented filmmaker..."

Having risen to prominence with his debut feature Take Shelter – a provocative exploration into deep rooted psychological issues – writer and director Jeff Nichols returns with Mud, a film that – at least on the surface – appears somewhat more undemanding, yet once again proves to be a multilayered and stimulating feature that continues to mark the rise of this immensely talented filmmaker.

Set in small town, Arkansas, we follow the adventures of two young teenage boys Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), who upon voyaging out to an abandoned island, find the destitute Mud (Matthew McConaughey) – a fugitive hiding from the law enforcement and bounty hunters desperately on his trail. Though somewhat apprehensive at first, having discovered Mud's sole ambition is to see Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), the boys decide to help this isolated romanticist be reunited with his one true love.

Mud is built around relationships and Ellis' somewhat naïve perception of the world and how he perceives true love to be. From the turbulent marriage between his parents, to his own failings with his so-called girlfriend, he is inspired by this chivalrous, impassioned romantic, as someone he identifies with himself. Ellis doesn't idolise Mud because he's a bad ass. He idolises him because he is an idealist. This is an epic coming of age tale of one young boy discovering the world, life and love, for the first time, while the most unlikely of friendship transpires.

There are certainly shades of E.T. in Mud, as the lead relationship shares a similar dynamic to that of our protagonists in the renowned Steven Spielberg classic. Not just because Ellis is somewhat similar sounding to 'Elliott', but the way their lives start to blend in to the other, replicating each other sub-consciously. Also Mud is building a boat in the same way E.T. builds a spaceship, while we also have a definite nod in the direction of the iconic bicycle scene.

It's fascinating how we view the world through the curious eyes of this innocent 14 year old boy. It's a dangerous world we're entering – with fugitives, bounty hunters and death wishes – and yet we are seeing it from such a precious, and pure frame of mind, and as such, it allows for us to also see the good in Mud, just as Ellis is able to, imperative in making this film work. Nichols does a fantastic job in truly capturing that free-spirited nature of these two boys, and how they approach certain situations in a way that only a child can. Both performances from Sheridan and Lofland are absolutely outstanding as well – while McConaughey ensures we have a full house in that department, doing so without the use of magic cowboy hat that usually comes in rather handy.

Although the consistent theme of love runs right through the middle of this production, that is not to say Mud isn't intense and compelling at times, as there is a lengthy spell in the middle where we simply don't know who to believe, with conflicting stories coming from both Mud and Juniper, adding a tense ambiguity to proceedings. The setting isn't quite as murky and uncomfortable as in Killer Joe or The Paperboy, for example, but it still plays a role, as this is full of the Deep South sensibilities, as a setting that appears to be quite the cinematic backdrop at present, with yet another memorable piece of cinema.