Mystic River

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 14 March 2004

Finally saw this lauded (and rewarded) movie at the weekend. We found it completely compelling and talked about it all weekend, despite some major reservations about parts of the plot, certain characters and some of the clunky dialogue. Penn is stunning, a shifting mix of warmth and pent-up malevolence, Robbins transformed physically into a haunted soul and a typically unshowy Kevin Bacon pretty solid too.

Worth seeing for sure, not an easy movie, nor a great one but certainly interesting.

Anyone else seen it? Anyone else actually happy with the 'solution' to the whoddunit?

Bruce
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Minky
Saw it. Liked it. Pretty much agree with your comments. Preferred the book. Preferred even more Dennis Lehane's "Shutter Island" (a little less "real") which I suggest would be another great vehicle for Mr Eastwood.
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Stephen Bennett
After seeing it I couldn't decide if Mystic River was

a) A great film with great performances.
b) A crap film with great performances.
c) A great film with 'over the top' performances.
d) A crap film with 'over the top' performances.

After much thought I finally settled on d)

By 'over the top' I obviously mean 'oscar winning'. It seems to me that to win a best actor gong, if you are male, is by acting hysterically, or by overt 'method acting' (i.e. it's obvious you are a good actor, because we can see you actually 'acting'. For a woman it's enough for the role to make you physically or emotionally disfigured in some way .

Sean Penns hair did deserve an Oscar for best special effect though....

Big Grin

Stephen

[This message was edited by Stephen Bennett on Mon 15 March 2004 at 9:50.]

[This message was edited by Stephen Bennett on Mon 15 March 2004 at 9:53.]
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Dave J
Gosh, Stephen, that's a harsh conclusion.

I'm with Bruce on this and would consider it one of the better films of last year. Penn's reaction to his daughters death was utterly convincing and was one of the most memorable scenes from any film in the last 12 months.

Dave
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Dave J:
Gosh, Stephen, that's a harsh conclusion.

Dave


I did give it a lot of thought!
Wink

Stephen
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Dave J
That's fair enough. I'm likewise "guilty" and, it seems, pretty isolated in my disappointment with Lost in Translation. I realy expected to enjoy that film but thought it was a big let down after so many rave reviews.

In contrast, I went to see American Splendor a couple of weeks back and that was superb.

Dave
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Dave J:

In contrast, I went to see American Splendor a couple of weeks back and that was superb.

Dave


I loved AS, especially the bit where he was trying to stop his wife leaving.

very moving, funny and, strangely, hopeful.

Regards

Stephen
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Jez Quigley
quote:
it's obvious you are a good actor, because we can see you actually 'acting'


A lot of truth in this! Really great actors don't look like they are acting, and it's only when you see them as themselves, or in a different role that you appreciate just how good they are.
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
For another (and better IMHO) movie about loss and the desire for revenge try 'In The Bedroom' with Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson. The latter is magnificent, and picking up on Jez's point, watch him in 'The Full Monty' to see how he can convey something totally different in another role.

Bruce
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Stephen Bennett
Bruce

Totally agree with your choice. My current favorite is Phillip Seymore Hoffman. It took about 5 films before I realised that his natural, varied, understated performances were from the same actor!

Regards

Stephen
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
Great actor. His cameo in Cold Mountain (as a libidinous pastor) is the best thing in the film by some distance.

Bruce