Richard Gere Is Surprisingly Good In "Arbitrage", But Matthew McConaughey Is Astounding In "Mud"
Arbitrage (2012)
I wasn't sure how much to expect from a movie about Richard Gere as a businessman getting into trouble making money out of hedge funds. Still this had a seriously high score on Rotten Tomatoes and Mark Kermode (who adores Richard Gere) was very keen to talk up this film.
Gere's character seems pretty clearly dodgy from the start, particularly when he sneaks away from his family in order to spend time with his girlfriend on the side. I suppose this is partly due to being shown this character's flaws so clearly, but I didn't find the character's charisma was working with me at all. I just hated this guy.
So I suppose the fact that the film held my attention as well as it did deserves some credit. I think it helps that Gere is often surrounded by other characters who are a great deal more sympathetic. There's his daughter who works at his firm (played by Brit Marling), there's the black friend-of-the-family that Gere gets to help him out (played by Nate Parker), and there's also Gere's wife in the film (played by Susan Sarandon). Whether these characters will be better off if Gere gets into trouble or gets off scot free depends on the character and that makes us rather more inclined to care about what happens to this over-priveleged and entirely undeserving central figure.
I don't think Gere gives a particularly impressive performance. I think the film could have been improved by placing a better actor in the central role. However, I think Gere's style of acting somewhat fits the role and that he does a very reasonable job here.
This wasn't a bad film, but it didn't blow me away. It ticks all the boxes, but there's not much in the way of emotional thrills here. It's a good film and if you see it around you might want to give it a try. Though I wouldn't suggest you actively seek it out, I don't think you'd be disappointed by it if you did.
B-
Mud (2012)
It seemed strange that Jeff Nichols should switch straight from a psychological thriller that was bordering on becoming a zombie movie (depending on your interpretation) to a Tom Sawyer-esque story about some children who make a pact with a fugitive they find hiding out locally. Just as strange as it is to see Matthew McConaughey switch from appearing in any old cheesy rom-com (often in a leaning pose) to taking genuinely interesting roles.
There's still elements here of the same intensity that we saw in Jeff Nichols directing debut "Take Shelter", but this is a much more upbeat film in general. The film captures a lot of drama, but it's fused with a childlike innocence. Personally I felt even Matthew McConaughey's character 'Mud' also seemed to show that innocence to a certain extent. He's a character who has reached the point he has by being misguided and foolish so, while he may pontificate about the code he lives by, he's still seems somewhat naive and unrealistic in his understanding of the world.
The story here is that two children who live near the water row out to explore a tiny island. There's a boat in a tree (seemingly blown there in a big storm from the looks of it) which they plan to use as their own private den. But they see some food items inside the boat and realise that there is somebody living in it.
They keep their knowledge of the fugitive a secret and help him get back in touch with a woman (played be Reece Witherspoon) who is directly linked to his status as a fugitive from the law.
The story is essentially quite simple, but the characters are well defined and well developed and the strange blend of intensity and innocence gives this film a unique quality. I had a lot of fun watching Mud and it's a clear sign that Jeff Nichols is a director to continue to follow. Matthew McConaughey also seems (rather suddenly and out-of-the-blue really) to be a talent to watch out for these days.
I wouldn't exactly call "Mud" a 'heart-warming story', but it certainly has a lot of heart involved in it and whether you think the characters are troubled or just idiots, you cannot help but be pulled in.
A+