Stunning Cinematography & Superb Performances Help An Uneven Narrative!

Rating: 6/10 (3 March 2018)

'Mudbound' is a yet another Hollywood Saga based on the backdrop of racism & racial violence back in the times of World War II. While the narrative isn't rock-solid, The Stunning Cinematography & Superb Performances, almost make up for it.
'Mudbound' Synopsis: Two men return home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjusting to life after war.
'Mudbound' isn't an easy watch. The racism depicted here, like many other engrossing Hollywood Sagas, truly hits you. The final moments of 'Mudbound' are brutal & unsettling & that's exactly the impact its maker intend to leave us with. Racism is an act of cruelty & inhumanity & IT MUST be condemned to this day, be it threw movies, books, speeches or protests, it needs to end.
Dee Rees & Virgil Williams' Oscar-Nominated Adapted Screenplay (based on the novel of the same name by Hillary Jordan) offers some powerful moments as well as a truly harrowing end, but it also fumbles in parts. The sub-plots aren't very impressive & the first-hour, in particular, lacks aim. Its only when the war-heroes return, is when 'Mudbound' takes flight, before that, its a slow-moving slog that's headed to nowhere. Dee Rees' Direction is impressive, though. Rachel Morrison's Cinematography is the highpoint of 'Mudbound'. Morrison, the first woman ever Nominated for Best Cinematography in Oscar History, gives us visual poetry. Each & Every Frame of 'Mudbound' has a story to say. Her work is simply flawless! Mako Kamitsuna's Editing is also nicely done.
Performance-Wise: Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, and Mary J. Blige, all are in top-form. Mulligan is extraordinary as a woman torn apart between two men, delivering a richly realized performance from start to end. Hedlund is excellent as a War-Hero who returns home unsettled. Clarke does a fine job too as a man who dedicates his life to his family. Mitchell is wonderfully controlled, also as a war-hero, whose return to his hometown reminds him the color of his skin & his limitations in life. J. Blige, in an Oscar-Nominated Performance, uses her eyes to convey an array of emotions. The rest lend very good support.
On the whole, 'Mudbound' isn't entirely compelling, but when it works, it really does.