Mystic River

OdeonFriday 17 – Thursday 23 October In Eastwood’s latest directorial outing, a child playing with two friends is abducted but subsequently escapes. A few decades later the three are brought back together by the death of one of their daughters’ and a murder mystery cum suspense thriller ensues. The ensemble cast display some solid acting. Sean Penn is the characteristically troubled ringleader and produces a strong performance, but Kevin Bacon steals the limelight as a dysfunctional police detective. Tim Robbins also excells as the “basket case” object of suspicion. The outstanding ensemble is, however, let down by an overly-complex script. The film tries to deal with the relationship between victims and perpetrators, but tosses aside these themes without warning, leaving and a muddled viewer withtoo many unresolved loose ends. The intervening two hours flow like the Mystic River itself, with currents only occasionaly convening in their progression towards the conclusion.ARCHIVE: 1st Week MT2003