Beautiful

Rating: 8/10 (26 October 2003)

Mystic River. I myself have never been a huge Clint Eastwood fan. I've never seen a movie with Sean Penn and I've only seen Stir of Echoes with Kevin Bacon. So I didn't know what to expect, except an excellent movie that critics have given an almost unanimous "excellent" rating. I got exactly what I expected, but with a darker mood and deeper line of thought.

The movie starts out with a criminal act and focuses on crime throughout the movie. The film shows the effects of crime and the blackness it brings upon all who experience it, directly or indirectly. It shows the impact that even the smallest decisions can have upon one's life. It shows how different people cover up crimes in their own unique way, whether committed by them or committed against them. But not only does it do all of these things. It does them beautifully. Clint Eastwood's haunting, yet serene score along with amazing cinematography further the effect. The acting of all involved is Oscar-worthy.
Mystic River is definitely one of the best of 2003. It makes one think, it makes one cry. It gives one chills, it gives one powerful emotion. I found it impossible to watch this movie from a distance, but became involved from scene one. Let yourself become involved too, and you also will see the beauty of Mystic River.