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Directed by
Clint Eastwood Written by
Dennis Lehane, Brian Helgeland Cast
Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden [more]
Release Date
• USA: Oct 10, 2003
• UK: 17 Oct 2003
DVD Release Date
• R1: Jun 7, 2004
• R2: 7 Jun 2004
Budget $30,000,000
BoxOffice: $90.1M
Official Website:
Mystic River Website
MPAA Rating
Rated R for language and violence.
Running Time
2 hours, 17 minutes
Country USA
Studio Malpaso Productions, NPV Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures
More info on IMDb.com
Other Titles
• Mystic River
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Mystic River Reviews |
There is a solid story here, but it’s weakened by heavy-handed dialogue, strained symbolism and subplots that don’t got anywhere. What’s worse is that meanwhile the lead characters aren’t as developed as they could been and consequently we’re not particularly invested in what they’re going through. [read review] 
--Kevin N. Laforest (Montreal Film Journal)
"Mystic River" is a compelling film that could have been a classic with some judicious editing in the end and a rethink of the climax. While I am still very disappointed with the last twenty minutes, I cannot completely dismiss the film for its final lapses. [read review]
--Edward Havens (FilmJerk.com)
The twists of plot that every good thriller needs are also, in this case, revelations of character. The jolts of surprise you feel when crucial bits of information are disclosed are nothing compared to the shock of seeing who people really are, and what they are capable of doing in the name of love, loyalty or self-preservation. [read review]
--A.O. Scott (The New York Times)
Those who enjoy their drama parceled out in tiny portions with the speed of a snail will find River gripping. The rest of us with a pulse will tire of Eastwood’s lumbering execution and transparent techniques that drained Blood Work of life and turned A Perfect World into an imperfect and overlong character study. [read review] 
--Sean O'Connell (FilmCritic.com)
Not only is it an interesting story that will have you guessing all the way through, it's also shot beautifully with Eastwood getting just tremendous performances out of his actors - particularly Sean Penn, but nuanced ones from Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins, who does the best work he's done in years here. [read review] 8.5/10
-- (CHUD.com)
Eastwood's spare approach to filmmaking, in which less is always more, gives this film a grim reality and a deep sense of intimacy. In many ways the film almost seems like a documentary, and Boston itself -- along with the actual Mystic River -- are as much characters as the human principals. [read review]
--Paul Clinton (CNN Showbiz)
With an intelligent, insightful screenplay and a riveting key performance, Eastwood has combined his cinematic ingredients in a mixture that cries out for Oscar consideration. Mystic River is haunting and melancholy, and the portraits it paints of Jimmy,Dave, and Sean will stay with you after you have left the theater. In a time when the goal of most movies is to offer instant gratification with no aftertaste, this quality should be both valued and praised. [read review] 
--James Berardinelli (ReelViews)
To see strong acting like this is exhilarating. In a time of flashy directors who slice and dice their films in a dizzy editing rhythm, it is important to remember that films can look and listen and attentively sympathize with their characters. Directorsgrow great by subtracting, not adding, and Eastwood does nothing for show, everything for effect. [read review] 
--Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)
Whereas the film can’t really be described as fast-paced, there is virtually no filler. Each scene draws us closer to our conclusions, mislead as we may be. What makes Mystic River a true success is that the people are as interesting as the crime. [read review] 9/10
--David Trier (Movie-Vault.com)
Motive, of course, is central to all detective stories. "Mystic River" is the rare example that takes a larger, sociological perspective. While most eyes are on the pebble thrown in the water, Eastwood is after the ripple effect. [read review]
--Jami Bernard (New York Daily News)
Watching "Mystic River" sucks the emotion and energy right out of moviegoers. It holds them in its grip for two-plus hours and leaves them spent, marveling at the acting delivered by Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon. [read review]
--Ron Weiskind (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Above all, "Mystic River" shows Eastwood unafraid of the dark. Rather, he's drawn again and again to pessimistic stories about man waffling between ego and id and eventually losing to the latter. [read review]
--Jeffrey M. Anderson (San Francisco Examiner)
Clint Eastwood returns to retribution and a semblance of form with this moody, involving thriller, even if the stone-faced star/director is saddled with prosaic plotting and a portentous script. [read review] 
--Nev Pierce (BBC Films)
A solid and powerful drama that'll leave you thinking after you've left the theatre. How memorable it'll be in years to come is open to question, but for now it's a film to be savoured. [read review] 8/10
--Gary Panton (Movie Gazette)
The scenes move gracefully, even though desperate lives are caught in a fatalistic whirlpool. You know everyone's going to get sucked into this, whether they're sinners or sinned to. [read review]
--Desson Howe (Washington Post)
Births wonderful performances from all three lead actors, as well as Marcia Gay Harden, Thomas Guiry, and virtually everyone else with a strip of film time. [read review] 84/100
--Jon Lap (Apollo Guide)
Clint Eastwood brings Dennis Lehane's Boston revenge saga to the screen as a mournful, masculine noir that's also the strongest film of his long career. [read review]
--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)
Well written, impressively directed and brilliantly cast, this slow-burning thriller is Eastwood’s best film since Unforgiven. [read review] 
--Matthew Turner (ViewLondon)
One powerhouse of a film that will likely linger with the viewer long after the ending credits roll. [read review] B+
--Lee Tistaert (Lee's Movie Info)
A powerfully written, acted, and directed film that is as horrifying as it is thrilling to watch. [read review] A-
--Craig Younkin (Lee's Movie Info)
Despite dragging a little, Mystic River is worth its weight in what will certainly be Oscar gold. [read review]
--Kit Bowen (Hollywood.com)
Lean, energetic direction by Clint Eastwood elevates a didactic crime story. [read review]
--Kirk Honeycutt (Hollywod Reporter)
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