WHEN worried parents tell their kids to keep away from strange men, they probably have someone like ‘Mud’ in mind.

His face is grubby, his teeth are cracked, a pistol is tucked in his jeans and he is living rough...in a boat stuck up in a tree.

Welcome to the strange world of Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland).

They are two Arkansas teenagers who discover danger but also friendship when they stumble upon a fugitive on an island on the Mississippi River.

Mud (Matthew McConaughey) teaches them his strange superstitions and helps them fill a void in their lives.

Ellis is struggling to come to terms with his parents’ impending separation and Neckbone lives with an uncle who does not give him the care he needs.

Meanwhile, Mud is getting just as much out of the partnership as he is lonely, hungry and needs help if he is ever to get off the island.

As Jeff Nichols’ film weaves his magic, you gradually learn why Mud is a fugitive but he is arguably as much of a victim as he is a criminal.

Reese Witherspoon plays Juniper, his lost love and reason for not giving up hope.

The film will keep you guessing as you can never quite tell what their real intentions are.

Mud is not as powerful as Nichols’ previous film Take Shelter but continues the director’s themes about relationships under test as well as being a coming-of-age tale for its young protagonists.

It is also great to see McConaughey on top form - as he always is when he breaks free from his rom-com typecast.