What was this movie about....really.

Rating: 4/10 (7 November 2003)

Gosh darn I keep thinking about Mystic River. I left the theater yesterday and thought "THIS STINKS". But I've had time to mull it over and I think I've figured it out. The movie is very existentialist which I actually studied alittle once upon a time in college. **SPOILERS** You have Dave who makes the "choice" to get into the car with the sexual abusers. They did not force him, he did have a choice. He becomes a victim. He marries a woman who ultimately becomes a victim....Again it is her choice! Why else would the woman who has been married to this man all these years just go on and blab "my husband is a murderer". What did she think would happen considering the history of the "Savage" brothers??? Laura Linney's character at the end "you can take over the town" she says to her husband, after he has committed murder of a friend who was there for them after the death of their daughter! It's just too farcical unless you understand the theory of existentialism and this movie showing by example. Jimmy (Sean Pean) is a criminal by his own choice and indeed continues that choice when he murders Dave. Sean, (James Bacon) is an observer..... He observes Dave, he observed the 911 call, he observed and not participated in his marriage. The PROBLEM I have with the movie, is how jovial Penn and Bacon became at the parade. I don't think this would have fit from the book. And if Penn hated the Harris boys so much, why would he send them $500 every month? Wouldn't his wife have insisted he give the money to them? It just can't be understood by actual human nature, it's unbelievable, but looking at their actions purely philosophically I guess you can appreciate the movie.
Existentialism is an interesting belief. I had a teacher that was a pure existentialist. It basically says you have the life you have by your choices. Websters says: it is a theory which stresses the individual's responsibility for making himself what he is. Mystic River is an example of this.... it's not just a 2 dimensional story line and in that sense I give it & Eastwood kudos. Sean Penn was VERY GOOD, however just a few times especially during the murder scene abit too unbelievable. Everyone else was just great. I just have a real problem with the ending. Bacon gives Penn a shoot you gesture? What the heck is that about. Again a real problem with the ending. Any comments? Guess I'll have to real the book. 8 stars out of 10. (Sorry Clint, Seabiscuit will win Best Picture by a nose!)