Movies

Matthew McConaughey Says This Is ‘Probably’ His Favorite of His Movies

Matthew McConaughey has made numerous movies in multiple genres. Here's a look at why one of them has a special place in his heart.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Published on November 24, 2020

2 min read

Matthew McConaughey on a film that reminded him of his childhood

Firstly, a little background. McConaughey became famous through his role in Dazed & Confused. Afterward, he starred in films of several genres before being typecast as a romantic comedy actor in the 2000s. In the 2010s, he appeared in a number of serious, dramatic films. McConaughey has some high praise for one of his 2010s films.

In a clip he posted to Instagram, McConaughey discussed his film Mud. Mud is a coming-of-age story about a pair of Southern teenagers who help the title character hide on an island. McConaughey said Mud was “probably, in a lot of ways, my favorite film I’ve ever done.” He said it’s a film he could imagine his deceased father watching with him. In addition, he said one of the settings of the film reminded him of his childhood backyard in Texas.

Matthew McConaughey on why ‘Mud’ can speak to everyone

In an interview with GamesRadar+, McConaughey said the American South was an important part of Mud. however, he thought the film could appeal to all audiences, American or otherwise.

“So the South is definitely a character in the film, it definitely feels like a classic American film. But that’s also to do with Jeff’s directing style in this film, it’s very linear, it’s very deliberate,” He said. “It’s very poetic, the script, but it’s [to do with] affairs of the heart, it’s very universal, it’s not only American.”

A trailer for Mud

McConaughey said the film’s universality was the result of its director, Jeff Nichols. “That’s a testament to Jeff, who wrote it and directed it. He wants this to translate to humanity and not just be a small Southern picture about these people that happen to be in this small place with these few characters. It’s not bound to that place in time, it’s not even bound to a time.”

Why Matthew McConaughey liked playing the title character in ‘Mud’

In addition, McConaughey said he enjoyed playing the film’s title character. “It was really fun for me, it was a really fun four months in that heart-space and that headspace. He doesn’t compete, there’s no ego about his love, he’s not condemning her for leaving him, whether he understands her or not.”