This has received top reviews in France (by critics as well as spectators on Allociné; US reviews are here). It’s a perfectly serviceable thriller set in a trou perdu on the Mississippi River in Arkansas and among a strata of American society few readers of this blog likely socialize with in their daily lives (I was dubious that the Sam Shepard character had really gone to Yale). The pic is engaging and well-acted, particularly the Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer-like 14-year olds (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland). Matthew McConaughey wasn’t bad, though in view of his roots in small town Texas it wasn’t a complicated role for him to play. A couple of French friends thought the story was “unlikely” and “not credible.” Peut-être, but it’s just a movie. I wouldn’t call it a chef d’œuvre by any stretch—and do not rate it as high as director Jeff Nichols’s last film, ‘Take Shelter‘—but it may definitely be seen. Trailer is here.
Another film set in l’Amérique profonde that I’ve seen of late is Gus Van Sant’s ‘Promised Land’, this in rural Pennsylvania, about a malevolent energy conglomerate trying to sell a bill of goods to the good people of idyllic small-town America. This one received mixed reviews in the US—plus this critique in the progressive American Prospect—, generally good ones in France. It’s a well-done propaganda film against fracking (gaz de schiste), an issue that I feel sufficiently informed about to pronounce myself against. It’s probably okay in North Dakota, where nobody lives, but not in bucolic rural PA (and definitely not in rural France). So even though the pic was just slightly manichaean, I agreed with it. It’s a good story and with very good acting, notably the always very good Matt Damon and Frances McDormand. The twist in the plot around John Krasinski’s character—the environmental activist—was a stretch, if not outright contrived, and contributed to the film’s manichaeism, but I’ll let it slide. So thumbs up to this one.
Arun with a View 
I wish we could agree on a movie, once (*). I didn’t see Mud, but my wife and I saw Promised Land and she was pulling for us to leave before the end. What a piece of dreck ! And on top of the pile of clichés and “bons sentiments” there is a love story with the local teacher ! I always suspected there was something overrated with Gus van Sant movies anyway.
* (But maybe you did like The place beyond the pines ? I didn’t scroll on your blog to check…)
I do believe that we’ve agreed on movies at least a few times. As for ‘Promised Land’, dreck is a bit strong, though I will readily accept assessments of the film that diverge from mine.
‘The Place Beyond the Pines’: I haven’t seen it, though will if you recommend…
OK, I withdraw “dreck”, if I reduce by 15%, I still have : “bull’s manure”…. I don’t recommend “The place beyond the pines”, it is not an outstanding masterpiece, it is just another but mucho mas better “all american” type of movie. Story, acting, lighting, art direction, filming, editing, music, et al. I was sorry for Matt Dillon when I saw Promised land.