Today’s quick review: Mystic River. When his teenage daughter is murdered, Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn), a criminal turned family man, is reunited with two of his childhood friends: Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), the detective in charge of the case, and Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins), one of the last people to see the girl alive. As Jimmy and Sean race each other to find the killer, the winding investigation dredges up dark secrets from their past.
Mystic River is a crime drama and mystery from director Clint Eastwood. Mystic River tells the story of three estranged friends who are brought back together by a shared tragedy. The core mystery of who killed Jimmy’s daughter feeds into a number of other, interlocking mysteries that give the viewer plenty to chew on. Apart from its excellent plot, Mystic River brings to bear crisp direction, sharp pacing, potent dramatic themes, and a talented cast.
Mystic River’s best feature is its plot. The movie does a skillful job of balancing its clues and its sense of mystery. At any given point in time, the audience has a clear picture of where Mystic River is going but no idea where it will end up. The audience is always one piece shy of completing the puzzle, and that missing piece always leads somewhere new. The result is a gripping, well-paced mystery that packs a couple of shocking twists.
Mystic River is also a study in the different courses a life can take. From their shared background, Jimmy, Sean, and Dave became very different people. Jimmy flirted with the criminal life before settling down, Sean made a name for himself in law enforcement, and Dave tried in vain to move past a childhood trauma. Their experiences and personalities factor into the plot in subtle ways and give the film rich, thematic material to work with.
Watch Mystic River when you’re in the mood for a crime drama with a bit of edge to it. Mystic River is a polished, intriguing movie that makes good on its premise and is well worth a watch for anyone who’s interested. Steer clear if you’re looking for a feel-good movie. For another crime drama based on a book by the same author, check out Gone Baby Gone. For a crime drama with a strong mystery, check out L.A. Confidential or The Usual Suspects.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a haunting mystery.