Something is missing.....

Rating: 8/10 (9 September 2005)

An Oscar winning director. A cast to die for. A script based on a bestseller. With all of this in it's favour one could be forgiven for assuming that 'Mystic River' was certain to be far-and-away THE film of 2003. If one was to consider the competition then again, one could be excused from thinking that this WAS it.
In many way's Mystic River does achieve what it sets out to do, and it certainly has no trouble in beating it's contenders as far as content goes. But when you consider some of the competition (Return Of The King / Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions) it's not that hard.
'Mystic River' is satisfying on many levels. Most notably because of the acting, which is near flawless throughout. Sean Penn (Jimmy) takes the lead and shows us once again that he is without a doubt (one of) the best of his generation. Tim Robbins (Dave) also shows his worth and does well in conveying the contradictions of his character. Kevin Bacon (Sean) holds his own but with a much lesser part, a shame as Bacon is a massively underrated talent today. Someone who came as a surprise was Laura Linney as the knowing and wilful wife of Penn's Jimmy. She play's it cool and calm and by the time we get to see Annabeth's true colours she is all but stealing scenes from Penn.
The Direction and Cinematography are of an equally high standard and Eastwood manages to perfectly set the gloomy scene. The area in which the characters live, plays as much of a part as our three leads and as the film progresses it becomes an uncomfortably claustrophobic place to be and to watch.
As you can see my comments on 'Mystic River' are favourable. It is a great film that is expertly constructed but there is something missing that I can't quite put my finger on. With all that was going for it my expectations were understandably high, and although it delivered on many points it failed to draw me in emotionally (perhaps the most important thing). Subsequently i was left feeling slightly detached and cold towards the outcome.
All in all 'Mystic River' is a precise and fluid drama which is head and shoulders above much of what's on offer, but without the emotional heart that it so sorely lacks it will always be somehow less than the sum of it's parts.
8 / 10