Haven't see a thread about this film, so i figured i'd post one.

I'd never heard of this film. I'm a big fan of film (metaphorically, not physically ) and i tend to be fairly well up on release dates, what's coming up and when it's going to be out, but i have to admit that Mystic River flew straight under my radar. However, once i'd been told that it was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon and Laurence Fishburne i knew i had to see it, and see it i did, the same night i heard of it. Not done that before, but with a cast like that i was fairly confident i wouldn't be wasting my money.

And you know what? I wasn't.

Mystic River revolves around three characters, Jimmy (Sean Penn), Dave (Tim Robbins) and Sean (Kevin Bacon) who were friends as kids. One day they are playing street hockey and generally making nuicances of themselves as kids do when phoney police put Dave in the back of their car and take him away. Flash forward to when they are all adults, Jimmy's daughter is found murdered, Dave is the prime suspect and Sean is the homicide detective assigned to solve the case with his partner Whitey Powers (Laurence Fishburne).

What follows is an intriguing story, with characters that are fleshed out and that the viewer can get an emotional tie to. The performances from all the cast are excellent, but Sean Penn especially is really on the ball, putting in a fantastic performance (and he's been tipped for an Oscar ever since it came out). I'm not sure who the cinematographer was, but whoever it was, he/she and Clint Eastwood made a beautiful film. There are no panoramic vistas, no battle scenes or computer effects, infact a lot of the film is set in quite drab settings, but that just means that they did an even better job.

As for the direction, it's very good. Clint Eastwood is getting on in years now and if this film was his last, it would be an excellent piece of cinema to go out on. It's certainly much better than any of his previous efforts as a director, and probably as an actor too. Here he's crafted an emotional powerhouse, without it being sappy or manipulative. I take my hat off to him.

On the detractions, the film moves quite slowly. Now, this didn't bother me, but i'm sure it would some. The film takes it's time with revealing stuff and letting bits and pieces fall into place. This makes way for excellent characters and interaction between them though and that is where this films real strength lies, in the characters.

Thoughts, anyone?