Mud

There is a 2012 American movie directed by Jeff Nichols, simply called "Mud". The title of the movie is a reference to the main character, a fugitive, played superbly by Matthew McConaughey. The two main supporting actors are the young Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, who portray two teenagers who decide to help the down on his luck "Mud". Mud is running from the police because he killed the abusive boyfriend of his former girlfriend, Juniper, played by Reese Witherspoon. Juniper ends up losing the baby she was carrying by the abusive man as a result from the beating. The two teenagers, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone ( Jacob Lofland) help get Mud parts for a boat so he can get a clean escape with he hopes, Juniper. Things go from bad to worse when Ellis gets bitten by a water moccasin and survives because Mud rushes him to the local clinic in time. Mud gets noticed and a vengeful posse, the father of the man Mud killed and his relatives, goes after Mud. Mud gets away, but it is unclear whether he survived the shoot out, however the audience is let in on the knowledge that Mud survives and is being nursed back to health by a father figure from his childhood, played very effectively by Tom Shepard. The story becomes almost irrelevant in face of the superb acting that is sober, real and is a masterful testimony to a very convincing southern drama. The characters are stripped of all illusions and have to rely on both courage and strength to make it through. The plot and its complications could have turned the movie into a melodramatic soap-opera, but that does not happen, not even for a second. There is a dignity to the execution of the challenges the characters face, that creates a beautiful rapport between the actors and the audience, almost like what happens in a very good play. This movie makes me proud that  " Mud " is an American made movie. It shows the best of the American spirit, its tenacity, its quiet depth, and its fearless hold on hope in the face of the most trying circumstances.