this is a perfect example of synergy--the whole exceeds the sum of the parts

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2003)

I came to this movie with high expectations, based on word-of-mouth and on the virtual unanimity of the critics. My high expectations were met. This is a stunning, deeply involving film with tragic depth and great emotional power. To begin with, Dennis Lehane's novel provides a strong base on which to build. Even the title is superb, and resonates through every word of the book and frame of the film. Eastwood's work is splendid, not a false move made, and exceptional performances elicited from all the performers--to say nothing of the evocative cinematography and the music (Eastwood's work, too, in large part). As for the cast, if none of the male leads get Oscars it may well be because they wind up splitting votes. Sean Penn is simply incandescent; his rage and fire give the movie much of its impetus. Tim Robbins is also stunning. His performance is eloquent, beautifully controlled and modulated throughout. He is touching in conveying a man struggling under a virtually unbearable burden of guilt and memory. Kevin Bacon's work is hardly less fine in a somewhat less gratifying role. These three characters, linked and bound by a common thread, provide the film with its main force. Also admirable in their contributions are Marcia Gay Harden as Dave's fretful, frightened wife, Laura Linney as the passionate and definitively supportive wife to Jimmy, and (in a counterpart role) Laurence Fishburne as Sean's cop partner. Virtually every secondary performance makes its own points. Some people seem to have found the movie "slow." I find that sad..the movie is deliberate like a largo movement of a great piece of music is deliberate...but SLOW? No way. Eastwood may be our finest working filmmaker today--he is surely one of the very best, when he has the components to work with, as he has here. This is a movie to be seen and thought about, and treasured.