Clint Eastwood is an absolute legend. There's no doubt about that. But it seems when this icon misfires, he misses by a country mile--as was the case with last year's still-born would-be thriller Blood Work. In the case of that picture, I'd like to think that perhaps he took on too much of the work load. After all, not only did he star in it, he directed it. On the other hand, the same could be said of Unforgiven and The Bridges of Madison County, and both of those movies were extremely impressive. With Mystic River, Eastwood is back and in top form with one of the best movies of his directing career, this time staying behind the camera.

Mystic River takes it's name from a river that runs just outside of Boston, and serves as a key location in this movie. There's a lot of layers beneath the surface of this outstanding character study, as Eastwood weaves his intriguing mystery around three men who spent their childhood as close friends, but then slowly drift apart. A tragedy brings these characters back together as adults and this dredges up memories of a horrific incident that took place years earlier.

Eastwood works wonders with an incredible ensemble cast, giving each performer plenty of screen time to shine. What's more, he uses Boston to full effect, and this adds depth to this complex film. From the very beginning, Mr. Eastwood has the audience in his grasp and as the movie slowly builds to it's unexpected climax, you know that you are witnessing a master at work.

Mystic River is a masterful ensemble piece, with Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon as the primary leads. Penn is riveting as an ex-hoodlum who, while leading a straight life, maintains ties with his shady past, and watching him deal with the tragedy that propels the plot, illustrates why he is one of the very best actors of his generation. Robbins is sensational as a quiet, sensitive man permanently scarred by the memory of a brutal incident from his childhood, and his final speech is both powerful and devastating. Bacon is solid as a police officer trying to piece together a horrible crime, one that leads him back to his old pals. Rounding out this outstanding ensemble are; Lawrence Fishburne, Laura Linney, and Marcia Gay Harden.

And while he never appears on screen, the real star of Mystic River is director Clint Eastwood. He's crafted an engrossing thriller that becomes more and more intense with each scene. There are subplots that don't quite feel developed enough including a scenario involving Bacon and his estranged wife, and there were a few questions I had about Robbins concealing certain information. (Questions I refuse to reveal in this review because I don't want to give away this film's secrets). But these minor issues are hardly enough to tarnish the overall effect of this terrific film. Eastwood is a seasoned pro, and meticulous with detail. The sights and sounds of Boston flow throughout this film, and the cast's accents are near perfect. Most importantly, Eastwood has the utmost trust in his cast's instincts, and he allows them do their thing.

Mystic River is a cold, tough and sometimes uncomfortable movie to watch. It's a film about loyalty, love, and friendship, but most of all, it's a movie that deftly shows how a tragic event can effect who we are and who we'll become. I thought I knew where this film was going, but I was wrong. There are moments in Mystic River that are quite shocking, but the biggest shock is seeing exactly what direction these characters wind up going. And not until the final moments of this riveting character study do we really find out who these people are.

As I write this review, the Boston Red Sox have just lost game 7 of the American League finals. At times, Mystic River is as bleak as the look on those players faces after they lost that game. This movie and that game were absolutely gut-wrenching.

This is stellar film making. Mr. Eastwood and his Mystic River have made my day.