#232 – Mystic River (2003)
Directed by Clint Eastwood we have a subtle movie that’s a monster hit in my opinion. Eastwood really is becoming an experienced film maker and we’ll get to see more of his movies further down the road.
Mystic River is set in Boston where we open with 3 kids are playing street hockey in 1975. The events of that day when one of them is kidnapped by child molesterers forever changes their relationship. Their paths cross years later when the daughter of one of the kids is brutally killed. We witness the crime being solved and how each man deals with the problems they face surrounding these events.
When I first watched this movie I fell in love with it. The performances given by the cast is second to none. We see Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon deliver powerful performances and backed up by the wise direction of Clint Eastwood I had no choice but to give this one a 10/10.
April 12th, 2009 at 12:57 am
I look forward to seeing Sean Penn in Milk because I can’t say I’ve ever been that thrilled by him as an actor. He always plays the role of someone who appears quite plain but is complex under the surface. The same can be said about the movies he’s in I suppose. Perhaps about him too actually. In interviews he will seem quiet and extremely boring for a Hollywood star…then BANG someone brings up a topic he feels strongly about and he won’t stop. I certainly respect him for not being afraid to have an opinion and question authority.
I really enjoyed Gran Torino and I liked Million Dollar Baby too. But Clint Eastwood can leave me a bit underwhelmed at times. I was forced to watch quite a few westerns as a kid and I didn’t much appreciate that. I think I just threw him in with John Wayne and would sigh every time their grunting too-cool type characters came on the screen. He’s sure a great director, but some of the big name films have left me disappointed. Mystic River and Unforgiven being the two I have in mind. It’s weird cos I like a thinking movie. And I much prefer Unforgiven to those churned out formula westerns. So I sat through both films quite fixated, and yet when the credits rolled I wasn’t content. I should see Mystic River again because I do remember being a little confused. I’m just reluctant cos I remember being bored. Perhaps it was my mood.
Have you seen Sleepers? It’s impossible not to draw parallels. I always liked that because I felt it to be very powerful. I can still picture the tunnel under the jail. I remember the sour taste it left in my mouth at the sight of Kevin Bacon. Much like Kiefer Sutherland in Eye For An Eye…I had to watch season upon season of 24 to stop seeing him as a paedophile!
All in all, the more well presented stories about such significant and important issues that people watch the better. Well as long as they don’t get carried away with the scary dirty old man predator image when it’s most commonly closer to home.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Yes I’ve seen Sleepers although it was a while ago. I recall enjoying it.
Your summary of Sean Penn is spot imo and Clint Eastwood for the most part. I’m still yet to see Gran Torino. Heard mixed things about the movie but I never pay much attention to that anyway.