When 3 boys, Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn), Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins) and Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon) were growing up together in Boston the terrible events of their childhood helped to shape their futures too. The three characters have to come to terms with their own personal demons when they are reunited through the tragic murder of Jimmy’s 19-year-old daughter Katie.

Jimmy took a different road in life; he was on the other side of the law and spent two years in jail for robbery. Whilst inside his young wife died of cancer, leaving him with a young daughter Katie. Katie became Jimmy’s world along with his new wife Anna Beth (Laura Linny) and two small daughters. Jimmy is devastated by the murder and with the help of the local yobs The Savage Brothers, does some investigating of his own.

Clint Eastwood’s input in to this film is obvious, and the music he has created to accompany the stunning acting just adds to his brilliance as a director and producer.
I myself found the film thrilling, compelling, interesting, it had me guessing the whole time but also move me emotionally.

Clint Eastwood: Director/Producer/Music: Clint Eastwood has starred in 45 films (appearing in 56) Directed 24 and produced 19. In March 2003 The Actors Screen Guild gave him a Life Time Achievement Award and in 2000 he was awarded Lifetime Career Achievement award from New York’s National Board of review. Eastwood certainly put hi all into this film and the effects are tremendous.

Sean Penn (Jimmy Markum) 3 times Academy award for Best actor, in 1995 – for Tim Robbins film “Dead Man Walking”, 1999 for Woody Allan’s “Sweet and Lowdown” and most recently for his role of a mentally challenged character fighting for custody of his daughter in Jessie Nelson’s “I Am Sam”. Is it any wonder he went on to win another in this film as well? Sean’s performance in this film is intense, he is extremely compelling, if he doesn’t move you, then I don’t what will.

Kevin Bacon (Sean Devine) his most recent films include, Hollow man, Trapped, My Dog Ship. He is also known for his work in Wild things 1998, and Picture Perfect 1997. Kevin did a good job as the detective in this film. One of his best films yet!

Marcia Gray Harden (Celeste Boyle) won an Academy Award in 2001 for her portrayal of Lee Krasaner opposite Ed Harris in the feature film Pollock. From her success in Mystic River she also got a role in the recent film Mona Lisa’s Smile.
Marcia gives convincing performance as Dave’s wife, and shows a lot of emotion, that a mother in fear would.