This is what Mystic River should have been.

Rating: 9/10 (23 June 2008)

I read somewhere that the same author who wrote Mystic River, wrote the book Gone baby, Gone of which this movie is based. I didn't understand all the praise and attention Mystic River received, a mediocre film at best. Gone Baby, Gone on the other hand is a masterful film deserving far more praise then I have heard it got and wouldn't mind to hear about it getting an Oscar nod.
The film opens with narration by the lead character. It is solemn yet tense, solemn in its tone, tense in it aimlessness. These words can faithfully describe the movie solemn and tense. Set in Boston, it is a typical detective story that is anything but typical. Other movies set in Boston can't even begin to have the feel and overall street cred that this film exudes (Yeah, I'm talking to you The Departed). Its got the gritty locations and local lingo down perfect (including curse-words, racial remarks and the like). The setting has been overused lately in Hollywood, but somehow seems to feel remarkably fresh.
Casey Affleck is great in the movie, I personally have enjoyed him in every role I've seen him in. He just has great delivery. When he's funny; I'm laughing, when he's sad; I'm letting loose that solitary tear, when he's fired up; I'm ready to crack some skulls. Few actors have that knack and it only helps further entrench the viewer in the story that is unfolding upon them. Coupled with his girlfriend ( I don't know who she is) but she is a solid actress in her own right. Supporting roles by greats, Morgan Freedman, Ed Harris only add more kudos.
I gotta say the story was great, I literally thought it ended two times before it actually did. That is surely a sign of a fantastic detective story. Twists and turns at every moment. Besides being very interesting in its plot twists it poses several morality questions, that you the viewer are left asking in your head at the end of the movie. I won't spoil them, but they are sublimely delivered through an expertly crafted script.
I would liken this film to shawshank Redemption, high praise indeed.