"Good to see you Theo"

Rating: 7/10 (26 October 2003)

Greetings again from the darkness. I walked out of this movie feeling cheated. It had almost nothing to do with "Mystic River", but everything to do with Sean Penn. This guy is such a great actor that I feel cheated he doesn't work more often. He is Deniro from 15-20 years ago, before Deniro started parodying himself (SNL and Meet the Parents). Director Clint Eastwood delivers what we have come to expect from him - a wonderfully crafted, beautiful film that we mostly surrender to from our theatre seats. Eastwood's style make you feel like you are a passenger on a car trip, watching as things happen outside your window. "Mystic River" is not a whodunnit, as the answer to that question is given away very early on. What it is a study in human frailty, no matter the form. The 3 childhood friends grow to be quite different adults, yet the horrific incident they share, is the foundation for who they have become. While Sean Penn should act more often, I believe Tim Robbins (a fine filmmaker in his own right) should act less. In goes through his role as some psycho-Herman Munster. Yes, he is tortured by the childhood incident, but if reality is such a foreign place to him, wouldn't his wife or co-workers have suggested therapy? His role, while crucial to the film, had the weakest structure and performance. Kevin Bacon and Sean Penn, on the other hand, shine in their roles. For one of the few times, Bacon is not playing some freak that we love to hate. Eastwood (in the Woody Allen tradition) has assembled a cast of acting professionals. Laurence Fishburne, Laura Linney and Marcia Gay Harden all lend realism to their tough roles. Spencer Treat Clark (the kid from "Unbreakable" and "Gladiator") has a key role without uttering a word. What a joy to see Eli Wallach (Eastwood's buddy from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) as the liquor store owner and witness to a past crime ... although he should have been listed in the credits! Bottom line on this one, enjoy as a personality study and beautiful film and not a murder whodunnit.