Something of the Great Tragedies, "if you like it, and if you don't..." (may contain spoiler)

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2003)

The film opens with three kids, Jimmy, Sean and Dave playing on a street in their neighbourhood, when they start behaving mischievously. Caught in the act, they get a dressing down from one of two men in a car passing by. The man, who appears to be a cop advises them to tell their parents what they have done. Dave, who doesn't live on that street, thinking he will be taken home to his mother, gets in the car, reluctantly ... It will be four days before he manages to escape his tormenters...
Years later, the now adult three have more or less lost contact with each other. Dave is married and has a young son but has never been the same since his abduction. Jimmy has a past as a burglar and has done some time in prison. He is now settled as the manager of a groceries store but his 'cousins' are never far to give a hand when necessary; old habits die hard... He has a nineteen year-old daughter, Katie. Her boyfriend, Brendan, is the son of an enemy of Jimmy, a certain Ray Harris, now disappeared...

One night, Dave comes back home covered in blood, his hand seriously injured, and tells his wife he may have killed someone who tried to mug him. The following day, Katie is found dead, shot, and molested. Sean, now a police investigator, and his colleague Whitey are put on the case. Soon, Dave and Brendan are among the prime suspects...
Whether or not we consider Clint Eastwood the director as talented as the actor, in 'Mystic River' he has crafted a fine dramatic work who's measured pace contributes to our comprehension of this complex subject. Some may call it 'slow', but would this film function (as well) any other way?, for 'Mystic River' does require the complete attention of its viewers. The investigation is a pleasure to follow because very clear - up to 'Law & Order' standards, to say the least. At the same time we are shown the characters involved, how they cope with the murder and for some, how they may be related to it...
'Mystic River' may not be appreciated by everybody (because of its measured pace, perhaps, or whatever else...). But, this film, I would say, possesses qualities certainly too rarely found nowadays, probably the qualities that made the great tragedies. It brings into sharp focus the tragic instant before which we may keep hold of our life and after which we are no longer master of events. The question is asked: What would have become of the three, if Jimmy, or Sean, had been in the car instead of Dave ?

I gave it 8/10.
As a bonus, there is a guest appearance from an old friend of Eastwood, none other than Eli Wallach (uncredited).
The final word, a quote from Clint Eastwood: "I've always had the ability to tell the audience 'watch this film if you like, and if you don't, take a hike!".