Mystic River (2003)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, and Laurence Fishburne

Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn), Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), and David Boyle (Tim Robbins) grew up together in a Boston neighborhood.  One day in 1975 forever changed their lives when Dave was kidnapped and abused by two child molesters.  A quarter of a century later, their lives intersect once again due to calamitous circumstances.  Jimmy suffers through what no parent should ever have to suffer, the murder of his daughter Katie (Emmy Rossum).  Sean, a detective with the state police, is assigned the case alongside his partner Whitey Powers (Laurence Fishburne).  Meanwhile, Dave, a man still troubled by his dark past, is the prime suspect for the crime.

Couple a stellar cast with a legendary filmmaker and you’ll always get movie magic.  With Clint Eastwood directing such powerful actors as Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, and Laura Linney, it's no surprise that Mystic River is absolutely amazing.  This is what every murder mystery flick should aspire to be like.  It's simple but profound.  It's emotive but understated.  It's slow but captivating.  As great of a film as Mystic River is, it never got the respect it deserved during the 2003-2004 awards season because of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which shut out any competitors.  It's a forgotten modern classic that undoubtedly deserves a sober rating.