One of Eastwood's best

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2016)

Clint Eastwood's "Mystic River" is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, also known for penning the novels upon which "Gone, Baby, Gone" & "Shutter Island" were based. Adapting the novel for the screen was Brian Helgeland, who previously won an Oscar for co-writing "L.A. Confidential". So, from a writing perspective, the movie certainly had all of the ingredients for a gripping crime drama.
The multi-layered story is set in Boston and concerns a group of childhood friends whose lives intersect once again when one of their daughters is murdered. The screenplay expertly balances mystery and drama in a manner that evokes Greek tragedy moreso than a typical potboiler. It was nominated for (and probably should have won) the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
When it comes to the cast, it's definitely one that justifies the adjective 'all-star'. Sean Penn & Tim Robbins gave remarkable, Oscar-winning performances and the rest of the main cast was scarcely less impressive. Kevin Bacon & Laurence Fishburne played a pair of cops and contributed characteristically solid performances. Laura Linney & Marcia Gay Harden gave two very different portrayals of spouses, with Harden's particularly impressive performance garnering an Oscar nomination. The remainder of the cast was uniformly reliable as well.
Eastwood's direction is generally unobtrusive and gives the actors plenty of room to shine. This results in a film that is attractive but not distractingly so. Eastwood also provided the film's score, which features a memorable motif that recurs throughout.
Altogether, "Mystic River" represents one of Clint Eastwood's best films as a director. The stellar cast, workmanlike production and compelling story combine to produce what is arguably the best movie of 2003.