Mudbound (2017)

You absolutely have to see this movie. It really highlights the problems in the South and how racism was such a common theme back then (and maybe even to some extent today). The ending will make you so angry, but make you cry as well.The acting was extraordinary, the camera work really captivated how the characters felt and made us relate to them really well so we could understand why they felt like they did. Every scene has purpose.It truly is something you just have to experience. I can't put it into words.

I can't help but think that Mudbound did not return from The Academy Awards with a few Oscars just because The Academy's sensibility to African Americans was long gone (12 Years a Slave, Moonlight etc.). They decided to aim for films that are concerned with the problems of the white people - once again - as we see with Call Me By Your Name. I'd argue that along with Dunkirk and Shape of Water, Mudbound was a frontrunner for both Best Picture and Best Director as well as for Best Supporting Actress with Mary J. Blige's stellar performance.Mudbound features a great cast, the portrayal of the characters are amazing. The way the story is told through different layers combines with these amazing performances and establishes the film as one of the best pictures of the last year.I especially believe that Garrett Hedlund, Rob Morgan and Jason Mitchell's performances were heavily undermined by the critics.

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.

MUDBOUND- 79% What a beautiful unique movie that expresses a much more realistic view of the awful time black people were treated indifferently. The movie has an impressive acting performance. It did have a slow start which makes the process even harder to digest as it came to an end. Story wise and execution: 30/35 Acting: 21.2/25 Camera work: 17.9/20 Sound: 9.8/20