One word: disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (21 October 2003)

I saw Mystic River before the buzz got really big. I was impressed by the cast, and intrigued by its screenwriter and director. The movie is tough to watch, and I appreciated the fine acting performances (like all the reviews say, Sean Penn is amazing). I was, however, thoroughly disappointed by the underdeveloped female characters (particularly Laura Linney's) the overdone yet empty Christian imagery, and the at times cheesy directing. It seemed as if Clint Eastwood didn't quite know how to reconcile the gritty family drama/tough childhood character study with the murder mystery, and the script certainly didn't help. There wasn't enough good character moments, and at times there was too much plot. The resolution of the investigation was rushed, and then the movie kept going; the second ending was very slow, and jarring. It just wasn't satisfying, it just wasn't good.