Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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37 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Sometimes, I think all three of us got in that car...", 9 Jun 2004
Clint Eastwood has directed a masterpiece which is most likely his best work ever. Completely character driven and full of tension, drama and danger, "Mystic River" is a cinematic experience that shouldn't be passed up. For those 130+ minutes, I was intrigued and amazed. It's a film that doesn't rely on action or senseless non-stop violence, but it relies only on the characters.Jimmy, Dave and Sean were best friends when they were kids, but something terrible happened. Dave was abducted by two strangers posing as cops one day, only to be held captive and abused (physically, and by "other" means). He did manage to escape, but the experience has forever scarred him. Years later when all three are grown up, they are reunited when a horrible crime arises--Jimmy's nineteen-year-old daughter ends up murdered. Sean's a cop who is on the case and Dave, still deeply disturbed by the past, is acting very strange and suspiciously. The childhood past that these three had has paved the paths of their lives today, which has set in motion these chain-of-events. It is a sad story that can only end in tragedy that will affect all three in unimaginable ways. On the surface, this seems like a mystery/thriller when it is anything but that. True, it is a murder mystery, but the murder is not what the movie is really about. It's about how the past can never be forgotten and how these three individuals have turned out as a result. You see the characters and how they deal with the tragedy that has befallen them. The mind frame, the course of action, and the need of closure all play a very important role in this tension-filled drama. It's one of those rare films where you could've watched it unfold forever. Clint Eastwood has done a marvelous job of directing this masterpiece of human tragedy and loss. It has to be said. The cast is PHENOMENAL. The cast could've really made this film a complete and utter failure if the wrong people were chosen, but that is not the case here. Everybody was outstanding. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins give it their all in making their roles come to life. I now know why the two won Academy Awards, and they deserve them very much. Kevin Bacon is terrific and comes off more than just a simple cop. Laurence Fishburne was a complete joy to watch, as well. I didn't even know that he was in this until I bought the DVD, and he was brilliant in a stand-out role. What it all comes down to is that the complete cast is terrific. Not one wasted talent can be found in this entire film. "Mystic River" is an unforgettable, heart-breaking and overwhelming film that really can show you how fantastic a movie can be if you have the characters and the emotion. Not everyone will enjoy it, as it isn't action-packed, but for those who love character development are in for a real treat. If you haven't seen it yet, I really recommend checking it out. It's definitely one of the better movies to come out of 2003. It's a shame it had to come out the same year as "Return of the King," otherwise I really think this film could've won a few more awards. -Michael Crane
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We take care of our own, 7 May 2006
Haunting drama about judgement, redemption and rejuvenation. While ostensibly a murder mystery the true wealth of mystic river lies in the human mystery surrounding the three main characters.
The film explores the limits to the value of friendship and the unimaginable cruelty of childhood abuse. Robbins' character has been tormented his entire life because of an incident of childhood abuse, as a result of this, another crime committed by Robbins and his wife's lack of trust - he is falsely accused of killing old friend Penn's daughter. He is betrayed by his wife to Penn, who is some kind of respected hoodlum in the community, his wife evidently trusts Penn more than her own husband. This is the moral of the film, Robbins was never able to form the same level of trust and understanding with his wife as the others were because of his childhood trauma and as a result his wife misjudges him and betrays him. In contrast to this, Penn's wife congratulates him when he tells her of his terrible crime, telling him he did what he did to protect his familly, her trust and loyalty is never in doubt.
The ending of the film is powerful stuff, we see the two survivors with their wives - playing happy famillies. Despite the reality of Penn's crimes he is able to exonerate himself of murder, forgive himself easily. Robbins himself was never able to forgive himself for the terrible shame of being a victim of abuse, doubly so because he is male. There was never any peace for him - unlike Penn he has no sin to bury - because the unique cruelty of being a victim of abuse means feeling the full-guilt and shame without having sinned. When you compare the injuries done to Robbins (as a child) and Penn and their respective recoveries from those injuries you conclude that there are worse crimes than murder.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mystic River Runs Through Your Mind Again and Again, 11 Sep 2005
Dennis Lehane wrote the book and Clint Eastwood directed the movie. It is rare that a movie is equal to the book, but in this case they are both superb works of art. Three young boys friends and playmates grow up in Southie,a neighborhood in Boston. On a summer's day, Jimmy, (Sean Penn) and Sean (Kevin Bacon) have marked their names in fresh cement, and Davey (Tim Robbins) is just about to write his name when a car drives up. A man who purports to be a detective tells them they have broken the law and takes Davey with him to tell his mom. Davey goes missing and turns up several days later after running away, a victim of sexual abduction. The friendship is no more with Davey, and he has a difficult adolescence. Years later, these three men unite after the murder of Jimmy's teenage daughter. Each man has had his tribulations. Jimmy has spent time in prison, and it appears that he remains the thug as depicted. Sean Penn gives the performance of his life. Sean became the character, Jimmy. I was
unable to take my eyes from him- he is the center of the movie- a rough, tumbled man with passion and love for his family. Sean, Kevin Bacon, has become a detective in the Massachusetts State Police. His life has fallen apart- his wife has left him and calls frequently but won't talk- what is that all about? Sean is an honest detective, an oxymoron except in his case. And Davey, Tim Robbins is rambling through life with a wife, Marcia Gay Harden and young son. Davey's wife, Celeste has a fear that Davey is responsible for the death of Jimmy's daughter. The lives of all three men and all those who surround them are intertwined in a complex maze. Did Davey murder Jimmy's daughter? Who and how is the young man who was going to leave town with Jimmy's daughter, involved with these people? Will Sean and his wife resolve their communication difficulties? This remarkable movie is a culmination of Clint Eastwood's directorial abilities. The praise that has been heaped is well deserved. Sean Penn will most certainly obtain an Oscar nomination for his part in this movie-he became the movie. The movie is indeed dark, but the message is clear. A movie well worth your time.`prisrob
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