A stunning film based on a tragic novel.

Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Dennis Lehane's wrenching best-seller, "Mystic River," is a remarkable achievement. Having read the book shortly before seeing the movie, I was impressed with Eastwood's faithfulness to the letter and spirit of Lehane's story.

Sean Penn plays Jimmy Markham (Marcus in the book), a small time hood who did a stint in prison almost two decades earlier. Jimmy now owns a grocery store, is a loving family man, and seems to have given up his criminal ways. As a child, Jimmy was a close friend of Sean Devine, who grew up to become a homicide detective, and Dave Boyle, played by the wonderful Tim Robbins. Boyle endured a terrible trauma as a child, and he is tortured by horrifying thoughts that he can never escape. When Jimmy's nineteen-year-old daughter, Katie, is found brutally murdered, Sean investigates with his partner, played by Laurence Fishburne, and the lives of the three old friends intersect once again.

The stellar cast of "Mystic River" is amazingly effective. Each actor completely inhabits his or her character. Sean Penn's performance is brutal and heart-rending, and Tim Robbins convincingly plays a man on the brink of madness. Supporting these fine actors are Laura Linney and Marcia Gay Harden, as Jimmy's and Dave's wives.

Eastwood wisely shot his film on the streets of Boston, and Tom Stern's atmospheric and skillful cinematography contribute to the film's realistic and dramatic look. "Mystic River" is a powerful drama about how desperate people react when they are under tremendous emotional pressure. This mythic tragedy proves Faulkner's dictum, "The past is never dead. It's not even past." The mistakes we make and the injuries that we suffer are always with us in one way or another. Kudos to Eastwood and his fine cast and crew on making an exceptional film.

Mystic River Runs Through Our Minds, Again and Again

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.`

Unforgettable

As a huge fan of actors Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, I was very anxious to see "Mystic River." After viewing the film in the theatre, I am happy to say that I was definitely NOT disappointed.
"Mystic River" is a film of raw emotion, and magnificent acting. The film revolves around three former best friends (Jimmy, played by Penn, Davey, played by Robbins, and Sean, played by Bacon) forever scarred as children by one horrendous and unspeakable act at the hands of a sexual predator. As a victim of abuse myself, I strongly empathized with Robbins character. Years later another tragedy, involving Jimmy's daughter, draws these three together again. In one of the most powerful moments I have EVER seen in a film, Sean Penn's character unleashes so much emotion after learning of his daughter's death, I found myself overcome with my own tears. Stunning performances by Laura Linney, and Marcia Gay Harden contribute to the intense realism of the film.
These characters, are not perfect. They do not exude superhuman strength, or power. They are real people with flaws, and weaknesses.
There are no fancy special effects in this film, no big budget chase scenes. It is a simple film about real people struggling to deal with tragedy and come to terms with the past. It wrenches your heart, and brings you to tears. At the same time, it is also an effective murder mystery with a shocking and extremely emotional climax, straight out of a Greek tragedy.
"Mystic River," is a film of sheer brilliance at the hands of a seasoned film maker, and VERY talented actors. It has been 4 months since I saw this film and I still can't get it out of my head. If you do not feel anything after seeing this film, you are not human.