The Good, The Bad and The Un-Americans

Rating: 8/10 (31 December 2004)

Father seeks the killer of his teenage daughter in backwater Boston.
So you have these 2 meat heads, Penn and Robbins, who have essentially ruined their careers with witless political rain dancing, here showing everyone what gifted actors they really are. They and this film are then showered with Oscars by a Hollywood establishment that has truly lost its balance, in a poignant nose thumbing gesture of a ceremony. For my own part I watched it with a clean conscience on HBO, so I didn't really pay for it, at least it didn't feel like I paid for it. Throw all of that rubbish aside and I must admit Mystic River is a damn good movie, although it falls rather short of classic or even memorable. But its good, and definitely superior to most of your other cinematic options. Nothing exactly bold and new in terms of story here. Film has a little State of Grace, Good Will Hunting, and a lot of Sleepers in it. Little too much Sleepers if you ask me, almost plays like a remake at certain points. What it does succeed in however is overall execution. The AllPro cast is expertly directed by Clint, who to me is truly the star of the film. Nice touch putting Eli Wallach in the film. go baby!!!