Eastwood scores with 'Mystic River'
Jordan Climie
Issue date: 11/7/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
It is hard to imagine Clint Eastwood with an Oscar-worthy film, especially one he directed himself. But the gunslinger of the 60's rounded himself up a five-star cast and adapted a book into a movie that actually worked, the first since "Seabiscuit" this summer.
Sean Penn stars as Jimmy Markum, an ex-convict who lives in a small town outside of Boston. Markum, Dave Boyle, and Sean Divine were best friends when they were younger until Boyle was kidnapped for four days before escaping. During his capture, he was sexually abused by two men, which has left the trio broken up and no longer close as they were.
As their older selves, Tim Robbins plays Dave Boyle and Kevin Bacon plays Sean Divine, who now works as a cop. The unfortunate circumstances that bring the three back together is the brutal murder of Jimmy Markum's daughter, which Divine investigates. The same night that Markum's daughter is killed though, Dave Boyle comes home to his wife with a cut across his stomach and hands which look like they've been punching a wall. His attitude is different too, as his wife begins to fear for her safety.
The psychological drama is a big task for Eastwood, who does quite well with the story and cast he has. Sean Penn's emotions are as real as any actor today, and the New England accents only rival the great Texas accent done by British actor Michael Caine in "Secondhand Lions." The major downfall, however, is the long and drawn out scenes that seem to be overcooked just a bit. The ending especially shows how Eastwood could've cut the camera time in half.
I can predict some Oscar nods for Clint Eastwood and possibly Sean Penn as well, but don't expect to see "Mystic River" taking home a cart-load. Grade: B+
Sean Penn stars as Jimmy Markum, an ex-convict who lives in a small town outside of Boston. Markum, Dave Boyle, and Sean Divine were best friends when they were younger until Boyle was kidnapped for four days before escaping. During his capture, he was sexually abused by two men, which has left the trio broken up and no longer close as they were.
As their older selves, Tim Robbins plays Dave Boyle and Kevin Bacon plays Sean Divine, who now works as a cop. The unfortunate circumstances that bring the three back together is the brutal murder of Jimmy Markum's daughter, which Divine investigates. The same night that Markum's daughter is killed though, Dave Boyle comes home to his wife with a cut across his stomach and hands which look like they've been punching a wall. His attitude is different too, as his wife begins to fear for her safety.
The psychological drama is a big task for Eastwood, who does quite well with the story and cast he has. Sean Penn's emotions are as real as any actor today, and the New England accents only rival the great Texas accent done by British actor Michael Caine in "Secondhand Lions." The major downfall, however, is the long and drawn out scenes that seem to be overcooked just a bit. The ending especially shows how Eastwood could've cut the camera time in half.
I can predict some Oscar nods for Clint Eastwood and possibly Sean Penn as well, but don't expect to see "Mystic River" taking home a cart-load. Grade: B+
Be the first to comment on this story