Clint Eastwood returns to scintillating form in his latest directional foray. "Mystic River" stars Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon and an Oscar-winning Sean Penn (Best Actor 2004) as three men, friends from childhood who are reunited once again through tragedy, when Jimmy's (Penn) oldest daughter is found murdered. The trio already share a harrowing experience that took place in their younger years and this event is the dark backdrop that binds them together.
Playing out like a twisting detective story it's actually the powerful performances that will linger in the mind, as each man is forced to come to terms with his actions, and face his guilty fears. Feelings soon overflow into an angry torrent of bitterness as events rush to an emotional heady climax. Compelling cinema.