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A family tragedy reunites three men who share a traumatic childhood experience in Mystic River. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins took home richly-deserved Oscars for their performances in this Oscar-nominated best picture from the ever-reliable Clint Eastwood. Mystic River is a gripping, well-paced mystery that employs misdirection and plot twists better than any other film in recent memory. Eastwood is at his directorial best here, his unobtrusive, relaxed style allowing the story to unfold without any cinematic grandstanding or narrative contrivance. Mystic River is immersive. Its mood and atmosphere wash over you, making the film hard to shake. To me, that’s a sign of masterful direction. Eastwood is simply one of the best in the business, the closest thing American film has to a ‘sure thing.’ With Marcia Gay Harden, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, and Laura Linney.

Academy Awards: Best Actor (Penn), Best Supporting Actor (Robbins)

Nominations: Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actress (Harden), Adapted Screenplay (Brian Helgeland)