Hi I'm an actor interested in all arts movements - film, theatre, music, art - I also write often on...
Hi I'm an actor interested in all arts movements - film, theatre, music, art - I also write often on the empireonline forum where many of my reviews have been previously published.
Member since:09.07.2009
Reviews:18
This was a welcome return to form for the big man, Clint Eastwood. Since Unforgiven, Eastwood seemed to be going through the motions directing some stodgily average movies like Space Cowboys and Blood Work. But here, teaming up with L.A. Confidential's screenwriter, Brian Helgeland, he creates this ambitious, atmospheric mystery drama and gets some fantastic performances from his talented cast. Sean Penn is an explosive brutal force and has many standout moments where his character reveals the grief and despair he feels from losing his daughter. Tim Robbins has the difficult role as the rather simple minded Dave Boyle, an edgy, wild-eyed character who is haunted by his horrific past. Kevin Bacon and Laurence Fishburne make for a believable and likeable team as the cops on the case. Marcia Gay Harden gives yet again a fearless performance as Dave's confused and frightened wife and Laura Linney gives a sly take on a Lady MacBeth-style figure. It's an outstanding cast and even the bit parts walk away filled to their potential (watch out for Eastwood's old pal Eli Wallach turning up). The film benefits from such richly drawn characters and characterisations and Helgeland handles the ins and outs of the sub-plots with the expertise he brought to L.A. Confidential. The one misfire for me though is an unnecessary sub-plot for Kevin Bacon's character that adds nothing to his character but seems more like an afterthought at an attempt to give his character the depth we get from Penn and Robbins. This intense, adult drama draws to an explosive close that will stay with you for a long time. A raw gritty drama that questions the needs and rights to take revenge.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2003 - Drama - Director: Michael Winterbottom - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Tim Robbins, Samantha Morton, Om Puri, Jeanne Balibar
Superior acting, writing and direction are on impressive display in the ... more
Oscar-winningMystic River, Clint Eastwood's 24th directorial outing and one of the finest films of 2003. Sharply adapted byLA ConfidentialOscar-winner Brian Helgeland from the nove...
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Friends who grew up in working-class Boston, they drift apart after a terrible tragedy. ... more
Years later, brutal events reconnect them. Jimmy's 19 year-old daughter is coldly murdered. Dave is a suspect. And Sean, now a cop, scrambles to solve the crime bef...
Three childhood friends - Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn) Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins) and Sean ... more
Devine (Kevin Bacon) - are thrust together as adults when Jimmy's 19 year old daughter is murdered. Clint Eastwood's powerhouse drama secured Best Actor and Best Supp...
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Superior acting, writing and direction are on impressive display in the ... more
Oscar-winningMystic River, Clint Eastwood's 24th directorial outing and one of the finest films of 2003. Sharply adapted byLA ConfidentialOscar-winner Brian Helgeland from the nove...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...