This River Flows.

Rating: 8/10 (9 December 2003)

Clint Eastwood's "Mystic River" is an intelligent mystery with standout performances from the lead players that is solid, grown-up entertainment.
The story is simple enough about a young woman found dead, murdered, in a mainly Catholic community but it's the characters and the decisions that they make that make this a griping tale. At over two hours you're not aware at any point of the running time. Brian Helgeland, who wrote Eastwood's last movie "Blood Work", has greatly adapted the book on which it is based with fleshed out characters and realistic dialogue. His script certainly washes out that awful taste in your mouth due to his previous work "The Postman" and puts him back in the "L.A. Confidential" ranks as a top notch scenerist. Sean Penn, who usually steals the show, fights to be noticed this time around up against such brilliant performances from Tim Robbins and Laurence Fishburne. Kevin Bacon gives a more low key performance than usual but due to that allows his fellow actors to shine. Also nice cameo from Eastwood regular Eli Wallach as a liquor store owner. Everything about this film feels and looks authentic from the neighbourhood to the actor's accents. The only problem is the music which seems a little heavy handed at times. It's hard to believe that this is directed by the same Clint Eastwood, the western icon of the late twentieth century. This is an actor's piece and Eastwood delievers thoughtful and true performances from all of his cast. Not up there with "Unforgiven" but it certainly comes close.