Mud (2012 Jeff Nichols & scr)

The film of the week, beautifully written and plotted, about relationships, love and people who live off the Mississippi (the germ of the idea). I loved the way we are suspicious, misled, and given information that does or doesn't support what we believe.

A great job from young Nichols, who also made Take Shelter, a film I didn't get along with, who was good enough to be nominated for the Palme D'Or. Matthew McConaughey stars, with Tye Sheridan (romantic) and Jacob Lofland (realist).

Sam Shepard has a timely moment as the "assassin"; and with Reese Witherspoon, Joe Don Baker, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson and Michael Shannon (also from Take Shelter).

Fabulous photography from Adam Stone, who seems to be lighting extremely realistically, with night scenes that are actually dark, and long sequences that appear to be shot by real firelight:

Sharing Beanie Weenies from the Piggly Wiggly. I know, and from a country that hosts the world's top universities!

Inspired by Huckleberry Finn (published 1884), but kept making me think also of Great Expectations (1860-61).