DVD review | Mud – Beguiling coming-of-age adventure set in Huckleberry Finn territory

Matthew McConaughey delivers another charismatic turn as tale-spinning outlaw Mud, who draws an idealistic teenage boy into his perilous quest to be reunited with his one true love in this beguiling coming-of-age adventure set in Huckleberry Finn territory: the Mississippi Delta.

Writer-director Jeff Nichols takes his time unfolding the almost mythic tale that ensues – which involves bounty hunters, deadly snakes and a boat left in a tree by a flood – but he imbues his film with a terrific sense of place and lets his characters breathe.

Part hero, part charlatan, McConaughey’s lean and grizzled fugitive makes a compelling protagonist, but Tye Sheridan’s teenager is equally impressive, and there’s strong support from Reese Witherspoon (McConaughey’s flighty lover), Sarah Paulson, Sam Shepard and Michael Shannon.

Released on Blu-ray and DVD by Entertainment One.

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