Second Time Around

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2004)

While watching The Golden Globes Awards, I was surprised with Tim Robbins' nomination for this film. Robbins is one of my favorite actors (Shawshank, Bob Roberts, the Player), I already saw Mystic River, and I did not recall his being in the film -- that's how good his performance was. With his weight gain, his stooped appearance, his lost and dejected look, and his sadness, he did not look like himself -- and that was not because of make-up. He really deserves an Oscar.
That is the main reason I went to see this film again -- to observe Robbins. My companions for both viewings liked Mystic River, especially the performances of the male actors. The female actors as the wives were not real. What's with that silly phone-calling wife? And Sean/Kevin Bacon allowed her to keep their baby whose name he did not even know! Jimmy/Sean Penn was excellent.
Doesn't every eastern town have a section like that featured in this film? That familiarity was a plus, an easy way to become absorbed deeply in Mystic River.
***SPOILER*** And, Kevin Bacon, not all of you got into that car! No one suffered as much as Davey. What was the reason for the cross on the ring? Am I correct that the wearer was a you-know? Didn't the Mystic River area have a hardware store stocked with sandpaper and paint for the characters' houses!