First, some
frustrations-- but not of the movie of course. Sean Penn and Tim
Robbins won Best Actor and Supporting Actor respectively, but Mystic
River received only the nomination for Best Picture and Best
Director for Clint Eastwood. Normally, this would be a tremendous
honor, and it faced off against the previously reviewed Lost in
Translation; however, neither of these films won. So who did win?
Peter Jackson in both categories for The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King. And perhaps a discussion for much later,
considering how widely appraised the source novel was, a brilliant
trilogy should be expected. And there's so many aspects that
transformed films! But there's certainly also flaws to be found in
those 3 hour plus movies (Two Towers is my favorite). There's
simply no way that The Lord of the Rings is better than Mystic
River (or Lost in Translation). Now, as I stated from the
very beginning, these are just my opinions. And I have yet to explain
and reason why Mystic River is so merited. So, without further
ado, allow me to prove why I am right.
I could tell you
Clint Eastwood adds sure-handed direction for this film, and while
that is true, it doesn't actually tell you anything. What I can tell
you is to watch the eyes. This is a story told by the eyes, and the
subject matter couldn't have been approached any better.
The plot is
fantastically construed, but I believe a slight disclaimer is in
order. This is a dark film. Don't come in with expectations to be
cheered up after a rough Saturday night when Jimmy left you for hot
Chris or whatever-- this isn't that film. And hey, a lot of the best
films are very dark in nature. If you end up watching Mystic River
and think to yourself, “Wow, that is such an awesome film!” then
I also highly recommend the more recent Prisoners. That movie
absolutely deserves a review, but not now.
Anyways, we are
introduced to the 3 principle characters-- Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and
Kevin Bacon-- when they were kids and loved street hockey. Two “officers” come
up to them and take Dave (Robbins) in their car. It's never shown but
rather highly implied of what they do to poor Dave. Flash forward to
their adult lives, and all three of them have issues. Robbins is
still uneasy from the childhood experience, Bacon is a detective
whose wife left without a word and calls frequently (without any
words either), and Penn is an ex-con. Within the first 30 minutes,
Penn's 19-year-old daughter is murdered, Bacon is assigned to the
case, and Robbins becomes a suspect. It's a compelling
setup with all the ingredients mixed in for a great mystery, and it
achieves that but with added emotional punch as well.
Anybody who says
their heartbeat was normal after viewing this film is flat out lying.
Penn is dynamic and on edge, Robbins is a very disturbed character
whose own wife questions his sanity, and Bacon rounds it out as the
sympathetic old friend. In other hands the film could have even
turned sappy with all the crossing paths, but this movie is the exact
opposite. It is intense in its calmness. All this combines with a
score Eastwood did himself with help from his son and an orchestra.
Mystic River.
It's a pretty ambiguous title that fits perfectly. There's closure to
the film, but so much is left open for interpretation to the audience.
And that's what Christopher Nolan films and Lost in Translation,
among others, do so well that become my favorite types of movies.
Throughout Mystic River is well-developed, well-thought out
scene after scene that doesn't want you to see it again the next day
or even the next week, but in a year or so, you will be dragged back
to the film with the eagerness and anticipation to understand the
puzzle fully even if it's missing one piece. Perhaps I have not said
enough about the film, or did I give just enough context to make you
watch it? Who knows, I'll leave it up to you.
The stakes are
raised for tomorrow with planned controversy-- and not controversy
just for the sake of being controversial. Some people will question
how I could possibly put the title of the film and overrated in the
same sentence. But it will happen. Tomorrow. In the afternoon. Be
there.
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