Review of Mystic River (2003) by Gregory G — 15 Mar 2014

Clint Eastwood's "Mystic River" begins as a police procedural then gradually deepens in emotional complexity until it takes the form of great fiction. Based on the Dennis Lehane noir novel set in a close-knit neighborhood of Boston, the story involves three childhood friends reunited as adults when the daughter of one is murdered.

The friends consist of a cop, Sean (Kevin Bacon), an ex-con turned convenience store owner, Jimmy (Sean Penn), who is the father of the murdered girl, and a blue collar guy, Dave (Tim Robbins), haunted by a childhood abduction.

Eastwood beautifully captures the ambience of the neighborhood as he assuredly unravels the mystery. We get a sense of time and place as the murder reveals details of individuals lives that effect their fate.

Jimmy turns his grief into rage that leads to vigilante justice gone awry. The ending has a moral ambiguity that is shocking. Sean Penn gives a classic performance that may be his best. Upon discovering his daughter's death, Jimmy erupts in agony.

The raw, animalistic woe expressed here by Penn is reminiscent of Brando. He also has nice quiet scenes of anguish and a moment of tenderness when he places a dress over his daughter's corpse. Robbins uses his height to great effect.

Dave is referred to as "damaged goods" and Robbins appears shrunken. There is a ridiculous bit about vampires and Robbins at times acts too much. Eastwood's spare style enhances the material aided by Brian Helgeland's fantastic expository adaptation.

The superb ensemble cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, Laurence Fishburne, Laura Linney, Emmy Rossum. Won Oscars for Penn as Best Actor and Robbins as Best Supporting Actor.