This page is about the movie. For the waterway, see Mystic River. For the novel, see Mystic River (book).

Mystic River is an American film released in 2003, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon. The film was written by Brian Helgeland (based on the novel by Dennis Lehane) and directed by Clint Eastwood.

The film opened to widespread critical acclaim. It was nominated for 6 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. Sean Penn won Best Actor and Tim Robbins won Best Supporting Actor.

The plot of the film revolves around three Irish kids who were friends and grew up together in Boston, Massachusetts named Jimmy, Dave, and Sean. When they were all ten years old, and playing together in the street, one of them (Dave, played by Robbins) is kidnapped and kept for three days. Decades later, all three are adults, still living in Boston, and have drifted apart. Jimmy's (Sean Penn) 19 year old daughter is murdered, while suspicious circumstances swirl around Dave. The crime is investigated by Sean, who has become a policeman.

Lesson

Despite the story beginning with a nightmare of kidnapping, and the twist in the end of who really murdered Katie, this story restates the importance of personal morality, honesty, and responsibility.

External links

• Oscar profile of the film