Mystic River


Movie Review for Mystic River

If this really is Clint Eastwood's last movie as a director, then he may very well have saved the best for last.

I have always liked the work that Clint has done through the years as a director, much more so than his work as an actor, but have never really considered him to be of the first caliber, Oscar-worthy director group. I was actually rather surprised a decade ago when he won Best Director for Unforgiven, and even more so after I saw that film. I had heard the buzz that this film was generating a lot of Oscar talk, so, I went to see it, expecting to be let down.

Well, I was wrong. Clint and this film are definitely Oscar-worthy. The movie flows like a gritty jazz piece. Just to add to the mix, Clint wrote the music for the movie, so he is eligible for Best Score too -- don't hold your breath though, it is not THAT good, but it serves the picture well.

The movie revolves around three men, who as boys were touched by the terrible tragedy of one of them being abducted by two sexual predators and being abused for 4 days until he makes his escape. This part is not told in graphic detail as most filmmakers would resort to today, but in disjointed flashbacks that only hint at what happened. The boys drifted apart and are brought back together as adults when the daughter of one of them is brutally murdered. The movie at times feels like a well done Shakespearean tragedy, with themes of deceit and betrayal.

The ensemble cast is great. Sean Penn will probably be nominated and may possibly win the Oscar as a greasy street tough gone semi-straight whose daughter was murdered. You are never will sure if his character is truly what he seems, but you can't help but feel the pain over the loss of his daughter. Tim Robbins does his usual good work as the abducted boy as an adult; by his understated mannerisms and even the way he walks you believe that here is a man terribly scarred by what has happened to him. The real surprise of the cast is Kevin Bacon -- who I have always been less than impressed with -- is quite good as the cop investigating the murder. He is partnered with Laurence Fishburne and the rapport and banter between these two makes you believe they have been turning over rocks looking for scum for years. He will not get the notice that Sean and Tim will garner, but his performance is the best he has done since the River Wild and not nearly so over-the-top.

My only complaint with the whole film was near the end where it felt just a little disjointed and confused and that kept me from giving a perfect 10.

Rated R for language and violence.

Official Website

Nine out of 10 stars.

Posted: Wed - October 29, 2003 at 12:20 PM      

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