So what's it all about?
Jimmy (Penn), Dave (Robbins) and Sean (Bacon) are inseparable as
childhood friends until Dave is abducted and molested. Soon after the
three friends drift apart. Jimmy becomes a store owner and local tough
guy, Dave mentally scarred since his abduction holds down menial jobs and
Sean becomes a policeman.
As adults Jimmy's daughter is murdered, an act that brings the three
friends together again. Sean as the investigating policeman and Dave as a
suspect.
Is it any good?
Mystic River is a well cast and filmed. Using standard camera
techniques and no special effects, it succeeds entirely because of the
powerful performance of its stellar cast.
Tim Robbins is exceptional as Dave. His body language, mannerisms and
general demeanour typifies someone who has been beaten down by life. This
was truly an Oscar winning performance by Robbins. Penn (who also won an
Oscar for his performance) is very believable as the hardcore local tough
guy, as is his emotionally powerful performance as the grieving father.
Bacon and Fishburne do well as the grim policemen and Kevin Chapman, Adam
Nelson and Robert Wahlberg are excellent as local thugs the Savage
brothers.
Clint Eastwood has also done a remarkable job as director. In one
instance he cuts between two emotionally contrasting scenes,
simultaneously taking the audience through the serene first communion of
Penn's younger daughter, and the police's grim search for oldest
daughter's body.
In another instance Dave is taken away in the back of the Savage
brothers' car, in a scene almost identical to his childhood abduction.
There are, however, two things that niggle in the film. The first is
Sean's wife who keeps calling him throughout the film, but never says
anything. Why??? The second the reason for the murder - it is entirely
without motive, which, although entirely feasible in real life, leaves an
audience hanging in the film. Of course this does deepen the emotional
impact of Dave's unjustified execution, but one would still prefer to
ascribe more meaning to an incident that governs the film.
Score: 4/5
How about those special features?
Mystic River includes the standard language and subtitles option and
one behind the scenes documentary with Eastwood, the lead actors and the
author of Mystic River.
Score: 2/5
Best part:
The scene where Jimmy find's out his daughter has been murdered.
Best quote:
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Mystic
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