How often does a movie remain with you after you have finished watching it ? In today's age of instant gratification, this is a rarity. In my view, the two things that can make that happen are memorable characters and insightful screenplay. And that's what ace director #ClintEastwood gets spot-on in this 2003 Oscar winner.
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews #MysticRiver, one of Eastwood’s best works. The screenplay is by #BrianHelgeland based on the book by #DennisLehane. The film is streaming on #NetflixIndia.
Three young boys Jimmy (#SeanPean), Sean (#KevinBacon) and Dave (TimRobbins) are playing truant on the streets of Boston. A car drives up and two men seemingly cops step out. They question the boys and drive away with Dave. He escapes after four days of torture that includes sexual assault. Jump to 25 years on. The three men are brought together by the death of Jimmy’s daughter Katie (EmmyRossem). The three are not friends anymore but the chain of events bring them together and unravel the best and worst in them. This is a dark, slow burn thriller and unfolds slowly. The story is bound by the river and depicts how a tragedy impacts two generations.
In his 24th outing as director, #ClintEastwood puts together a visceral drama that has to do with crime, punishment, gulit, retribution and the impact of trauma. It combines a mystery thriller, a police investigation and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships between the three leads.
However, #MysticRiver cannot be compartmentalised into genres or silos. The beauty is the manner and attention to each character and how they are delineated. Sean grows up to be a police officer. There is a sub-track of an estranged wife calling him over the phone but this is perhaps the weakest link in the narrative.
Dave lives with his wife Celeste (#MarciaGayHarden) but is a confused soul and the brooding character is played brilliantly by #TimRobbins. His character is low key and as the “damaged goods” does not emote too much. The #ShawshankRedemption actor went on to win the Oscar for the best supporting actor for his performance here.
#SeanPenn won the Oscar for best actor for his role as Jimmy. He is a reformed crook now living with his wife and three daughters and manages a store. His reaction to Katie’s body being found by the police is perhaps the scene of the movie as he screams full of agony “is that my daughter in there?”. #LauraLinney plays his wife (remember her from #Ozark?)
#MysticRiver is a genre bending film. The screenplay is brilliant and the supporting cast do a wonderful job. What #Eastwood manages to infuse into the film a sad, onerous feel to the entire film. At the end, this is not your open-and-shut case; it is grey, has its open ends and is simply put how life is meant to be. Savour it for long after the curtains come down!
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