| |
 |
|
|
Movies Forum Index » Movie Reviews Forum » Review: Mystic River (2003)
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| JoBlo |
 Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 11:00 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
MYSTIC RIVER
RATING: 8/10
http://www.joblo.com/mysticriver.htm
For more reviews and movie wallpapers, visit http://www.joblo.com/
PLOT:
Three childhood friends are affected for life when one of them is kidnapped and
taken away as an 11-year old and abused by two men for four days before
escaping. Thirty years later, all three are still living in the same
neighborhood, one as a loving father and husband, the other as a cop and the
third as a confused man, also married with a kid. When the daughter of the
first man is found murdered, it's up to his cop friend to figure out who was
behind the killing. What at first seems like a straightforward case turns out
to be a lot more complicated. Kinda like my lame attempt at explaining this
story.
CRITIQUE:
This is a leisurely paced, intense, gloomy but ultimately, fulfilling motion
picture. It features great acting across the board, especially Sean Penn, who
confirms that when it comes to grieving, there aren't many out there who can
channel it better than he can, effective directing by a man who's been around
these parts once or twice (Clint Eastwood), an enveloping storyline that brings
up various connotations about one's past, love, familial responsibilities,
friendship, crime/punishment & karma, as well as a handful of solid
characterizations of real people just trying to get by as the tragedies of life
interfere with their hopes and dreams. One of the things that I liked most
about this film was the fact that it didn't concentrate on any one person, but
developed all of them enough for the audience to really get a true sense of
where they were all coming from. Nobody stands out in the cast of characters,
but they're all interrelated in some way or another, much like anyone who lives
in such a close-knit community. Which brings me to the film's next great point
being the actual small Boston neighborhood in which most of this movie takes
place. I heard that they had thought about shooting this film in Canada "on the
cheap", but I'm glad that Mr. Eastwood stood his ground, because the
neighborhood's aura, in fact...the film's entire atmosphere, look and feel,
really gave you a sense of another character in the proceedings. Another fine
part of this puzzle was the film's score, which will surely be acknowledged at
the end of the year award shows, but for now, brought about the ideal blend of
melancholy, hope and power for this movie. It washed over every scene like it
was overlooking everyone and really helped solidify me into these people's
lives. It's to note that Eastwood himself drew up the music, along with Lennie
Niehaus.
I don't remember the last time that I got so involved in a movie and its
characters. Great job by everyone involved. Loved the Savage brothers as
well...I wouldn't mess with those guys! I didn't think the film was perfect
though with its final 5-10 minute "epilogue" feeling a little tacked on and
unnecessary, but nonetheless, understandable, considering the film's final
revelations. I also would have liked a little more development on Kevin Bacon's
character's situation, even though I could see how the "less is more" quotient
might apply in his case. If you're looking for a "feel good" happy-go-lucky
flick with a mind-bending mystery at its core, you've come to the wrong place
because this movie is not light in any way and its murder mystery ultimately
isn't as significant as the journey of its characters. The film deals with the
brutal killing of a young girl whose father is devastated by the loss and the
rippling effect of that event upon everyone who knew her. And yes, in case
you're wondering...I cried like a man during a couple of scenes in this film
and am not afraid to admit it. If anyone out there doesn't tear up when Penn
breaks down like only he can...you must be made of rock. In the end, this film
has got almost all of its elements perfectly lined up to create a powerful
drama about the undeniable potency of one's experiences as a youth and its
continuing effects on each person and the human spirit. The film also features
a parallel crime mystery about the murder in question, but ultimately doesn't
fulfill that query as satisfactorily as it reveals the innerworkings of the
people and the characters who lived through it.
Where's JoBlo coming from?
Bully (8/10) - Blood Work (4/10) - Don't Say a Word (4/10) - The General's
Daughter (3/10) - Kill Bill (8/10) - L.A. Confidential (9/10) - Magnolia (9/10)
- The Pledge (6/10) - True Crime (4/10)
Review Date: October 9, 2003
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Brian Helgeland
Producers: Clint Eastwood, Judie Hoyt, Robert Lorenz
Actors: Sean Penn as Jimmy
Kevin Bacon as Sean
Tim Robbins as Dave
Genre: Drama
Year of Release: 2003
-------------------------------------
JoBlo's Movie Emporium
http://www.joblo.com/
-------------------------------------
(c) 2003 Berge Garabedian
==========
X-RAMR-ID: 36022
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1207322
X-RT-TitleID: 1126042
X-RT-SourceID: 573
X-RT-AuthorID: 1021
X-RT-RatingText: 8/10 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:04 pm
|
|