Incredible performances bring Mystic River to life!

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 2004)

I was totally unprepared to see Sean Penn turn in this performance. Having already decided not to have anything positive to say about Penn because of his anti-American behavior as of late, I did not expect to walk out of the theatre heralding him as having turned in one of the most stellar performances I have ever witnessed on film. I will never forget the poignant and disturbing scene with Penn and Robbins sharing on the front porch overlooking the very street where they each began their troubling journey toward manhood. In this moment manhood is outweighed by the overpowering sense of loss being thrust upon Penn as he laments his daughter's brutal murder...as he passionately bemoans her loss telling Robbins "I can't even cry for her, I can't even cry for her."...Robbins with one line brings it all into focus when he tells Penn (Johnny Markhum_ ..."you're crying now'.
While Penn and Robbins have the more meaty roles, Kevin Bacon turns in an excellent performance with perhaps the bigger challenge of playing the less disturbed of the three childhood friends with skill and poise...he does it beautifully. Perhaps this is why Bacon has withstood the test of time in his career. He has not put himself into a box refusing to play only those roles which flatter or allow him all the exposure all of the time. He is as adept at sharing a scene as he is at carrying one. Bravo Kevin Bacon!
Mystic River is a fine film, and while Robbins and Penn may not be my personal favorites of people I would choose to spend an evening with getting to know better, I must admit, having watched them in this film, I have to say they have finely honed their craft and for this reason, Mystic River is a must see! There are actors, then there are craftsmen, everyone involved in Mystic River is a craftsman.