Mystic River

2003, Crime/Drama, 2h 17m

207 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Anchored by the exceptional acting of its strong cast, Mystic River is a somber drama that unfolds in layers and conveys the tragedy of its story with visceral power. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

When the daughter (Emmy Rossum) of ex-con Jimmy Marcus (Sean Penn) is murdered, two of his childhood friends from the neighborhood are involved. Dave (Tim Robbins), a blue-collar worker, was the last person to see her alive, while Sean (Kevin Bacon), a homicide detective, is heading up the case. As Sean proceeds with his investigation, Jimmy conducts one of his own through neighborhood contacts. Eventually, Jimmy suspects Dave is the culprit and considers taking the law into his own hands.

Cast & Crew

Sean Penn
Jimmy Markum
Tim Robbins
Dave Boyle
Kevin Bacon
Sean Devine
Laurence Fishburne
Whitey Powers
Marcia Gay Harden
Celeste Boyle
Laura Linney
Annabeth Markum
Kevin Chapman
Val Savage
Tom Guiry
Brendan Harris
Emmy Rossum
Katie Markum
Spencer Treat Clark
Silent Ray Harris
Andrew Mackin
John O'Shea
Adam Nelson
Nick Savage
Robert Wahlberg
Kevin Savage
Jenny O'Hara
Esther Harris
Clint Eastwood
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Robert Lorenz
Producer
Judie Hoyt
Producer
Bruce Berman
Executive Producer
Brian Helgeland
Screenwriter
Dennis Lehane
Writer
Clint Eastwood
Music
Tom Stern
Cinematographer
Henry Bumstead
Production Design
Joel Cox
Film Editing
Lennie Niehaus
Conductor
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Critic Reviews for Mystic River

All Critics (207) | Top Critics (58) | Fresh (182) | Rotten (25)
Full Review… David Germain Associated Press Full Review… Neil Norman London Evening Standard Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Alan Morrison Empire Magazine Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Mark Steyn The Spectator Full Review… Joel Siegel Good Morning America
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Audience Reviews for Mystic River

  • Apr 30, 2018
    1/05/2018 - An amazing crime drama.
    Peter B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 03, 2015
    Clint Eastwood gave us yet another haunting drama about trust and friendship between 3 men in a small Irish town. A lovely yet tragic drama that leaves you thinking. All three veteran actors delivered masterful acting, the serene setting and the close up shots really makes the film all the more beautiful. While it is good, I thought it may have been a bit overrated, the story itself isn't that inventive. But nonetheless, the performance deserved recognition.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Mar 11, 2014
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 06, 2012
    Wasn't really interested in this one at first...I honestly just watched it because I was bored. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It has a good storyline, an excellent and unusual setup (the kidnapping), a really cool jarring plot twist in the middle, and an interesting ending that sets up a potential sequel (they never made a film sequel, but perhaps there's a book sequel, I don't know). The cast of this film is excellent, especially Penn and Bacon. Robbins is good too, as a deeply confused man with a tragic childhood past; Fishburne is also good, as ever. Dramas aren't really my forte', but I definitely found this film entertaining, even though I'm not a fan of the genre.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
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