Mystic River (2003)

A gripping story of how our childhood experiences can shape our destinies.

From the acclaimed actor and director, Clint Eastwood, comes a film set in in urban Boston about three young boys who experience a childhood tragedy. One day, whilst Jimmy, Dave, and Sean are playing in the street, a car pulls up and a well dressed man confronts the boys. He reprimands them for drawing their names in wet cement, saying he is a police officer. Two of the boys say they live on the same street, but Dave says he lives on another street, so the "officer" puts him in the back of the car, saying he is going to take him to his house, and tell his mother about the boy's crime. As you may have guessed, the man is not a police officer, but a kidnapper, and he takes Dave away to a cabin in the woods, where the boy is locked in a basement and abused for four days.

The story then moves to the future, and we quickly learn how the boys' fates have played out. Sean is now a detective for the police department, Jimmy is a notorious former gangster, and Dave is a timid family man. When Jimmy's daughter is murdered during a night out, all three former friends become involved in the case. Sean (Kevin Bacon) and his partner Whitey Powers (Laurence Fishburne) investigate the murder, whilst competing against Jimmy (Sean Penn) and his gangster friends who lead their investigation. Dave (Tim Robbins) becomes a suspect in the case. As the film develops into a tense race to find the truth, all actions seem to lead back to that fateful day in their past.

What makes this film an excellent thriller, is Eastwood's penchant for drama with no fat. It sticks to a trim narrative, avoids confusing devices, and relies on the performances to drive the story. Throughout the movie, viewers may find themselves becoming more and more addicted as each scene unfolds. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, and the music is sparse, adding to the edgy feel.

Notable performances are several. Foremost, for me, is Sean Penn. His delivery and emotion is undeniably genius, making for a compelling character. Tim Robbins is darkly magnificent as the troubled Dave, taking on a persona that is both unpleasant yet pitiful. Laurence Fishburne is also worthy of mention, his plays the supporting role brilliantly, and adds a dimension of humour and aggression which is vital.

Some critics have argued that this film plays out more like a TV movie than a cinematic blockbuster. To those, I would say that Eastwood has created a film that blends the best of both those mediums. Mystic River is an enthralling tale (based on a book by Dennis Lehane), its enduring themes of childhood innocence being spoiled, and the consequences of our actions, leaves for a relevant and poignant film.