Mudbound (2017)

Greetings from Lithuania.Watching "Mudbound" (2017) is like reading a great novel - it sucks you in and like a great novel never lets you out until the last page. "Mudbound" (2017) is a superb movie.Directing was superb. acting was more then solid - it was just outstanding by simply everyone involved. But the real thing for which this movie is not to be missed out is the story and the screenplay. Its a very plausible, realistic, absorbing, touching and deep story that i have no doubt has happen thousands of times before, unfortunately. Overall, while "Mudbound" isn't a perfect movie, its running time 2 h 10 min run like a minute for me. Great craftsmanship, amazing acting and superb story superbly written, this is one of the best movies of 2017. Great movie.

I refused to watch this movie for some time. It seemed too political and as a cinephile, I didn't want the indoctrination -- I get enough of that reading the papers. Brain-washing, after all, is a young man's game.Once I realized the star of Mudbound was Carey Mulligan, I was obligated to at the very least, give it a cursory view. I owe her for Never Let Me Go, and am currently watching with more than just a little disappointment, Collateral, a British miniseries for the same reason. Yet, one of the movies I will ever cherish is Carey Mulligan's Never Let Me Go. That is why we watch the stuff Hollywood foists upon us, to feel something, to understand something about our lives, about ourselves. Never Let Me Go took me, and it never let me go.Carey Mulligan gets at least a glance from me, for whatever, and for however long, and in this, she is worth the look. Her face says everything and her reading of the character tells you about her and the character.Yet, she didn't need me. This film is excellent. In my opinion, it should have won the 2017 Best Film Oscar. It's sad and sweet, and at the risk of sounding like a take-out food menu, it is more than a little sour, for it illuminates what happens to people who are good with no options, and those who could do much better if not for societal restrictions. It is about life, and the way we live it -- how we have no other option but to compromise between what we believe in and know is right, and what we realize what will give us one more day.It is not something I will ever forget.With this, and the afore mentioned film, Carey owns me. At least, I will always watch her stuff. And, I will not be so kind to Collateral.Yet, if you are given the opportunity to watch this, ignore the hype. It is not about oppression and the trickling sorrow of slavery's injustice, although that is surely there. It is about family, hope, friendship, and love -- just as all great movies are.

Saw 'Mudbound' due to being intrigued by the subject matter and the cast, being someone who is trying to see as many 2017 films as possible (particularly those that garnered Oscar nominations, in to me actually one of the better Oscar years in recent years) and who wanted to see if it lived up to the hype.While not one of the best films of the year 'Mudbound' was still very impressive indeed, with a lot of emotional power and with so much deserving of being lauded highly, also really admired how it handled its brave themes. It is though an uneven film too which is a shame, and does suffer from its ambition getting the better of it so that at times it becomes over-ambitious.Starting with 'Mudbound's' faults, it does get off to a somewhat erratically paced (both rushed and draggy) and meandering start where it can get confusing as to which direction it's going to go and where it's heading. Also was distracted by the multiple-character voice-over, which tended to ramble and over-explain and could have done with being used less, particularly in parts where it wasn't really needed. The script too is not without its rambling, repetitive and derivative parts. Overall, it is not a bad script by any stretch, but personally do question its Oscar nomination (the film's other nominees were deserved though) in an otherwise strong category where the right film ('Call Me By Your Name') won and one of not many questionable nominees this year (that last claim is not going to be a popular opinion though). 'Mudbound' however has pros that far outweigh the cons. It looks fantastic with some of the best cinematography of the year and dreamy and atmospheric landscapes and scenery. It is not often where mud is like a character of its own in a film, that is the case with 'Mudbound' and juxtaposes beautifully with the otherwise idyllic look. The music is hauntingly beautiful, and cannot get enough of "Mighty River", wonderfully performed by Mary J. Blige herself, my pick for the Oscar was between it and "Remember Me" from 'Coco', another song that resonated with me. While the script is uneven, much of it is thought-provoking, well-meaning, affecting and sincere. Things really pick up in the story after a shaky start, especially in a sweeping second half that is truly powerful and poignant culminating in a shocking, gut-wrenching and emotionally devastating climax. Really admired how it explored and addressed the brave and sadly still relevant themes of poverty, racism and the aftermath of war and executing it in a way that was confident and just as ballsy and relevant. Have little to fault the direction either.Other than the production values the other star is the superb acting, with Carey Mulligan giving her best performance since perhaps 'An Education' and was not expecting a performance as powerful and moving as the one Mary J. Blige gave. The film completely re-assessed my opinion of Garrett Hedlund, who was awful in 'Pan' but was absolutely brilliant here. Jason Mitchell is suitably controlled and can't fault Jonathan Banks and Jason Clarke either.In conclusion, uneven and over-ambitious but very moving, superbly made and acted and brave. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Henry McAllan (Jason Clarke) and his long suffering wife Laura (Carey Mulligan) with their kids live on his father Pappy (Jonathan Banks)'s dirt poor Mississippi farm. His brother Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) returns from the war as a bomber pilot. The Jacksons (Rob Morgan, Mary J. Blige) have worked for the family. Their son Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell) also returns from the war.The inciting incident happens midway through the movie. It needs to happen sooner. The first half meanders too much leaving the movie with a grinding pace. The second half of this over two hours movie is much more compelling as the characters' relationships are expanded. The friendship between Ronsel and Jamie is the heart and the soul of this movie which only arises after the incident. There is some muddy beauty in the cinematography. It is effective work from filmmaker Dee Rees.