Mystic River ... the christian pedophiles???

[cheebus420]

I'm a film student at UBC so I consider myself to have an adequate ability to judge films, but a lot of things about mystic river left me confused.

First off the pedophiles in the beginning of the movie, why is one wearing a cross ring and then turns out later to be a priest? Why is it not explored later in the film, or did I miss something?

And did anyone else feel this movie should have ended sooner before the parade? Perhaps after the final conclusion?

All I really learnt was that it's damn easy to get away with murder in Masechusets.

[starsprite]

Ok here are my thoughts...

First the 'priest' wasn't actually a priest...just like the 'cop' wasn't actually a cop. I think that they used two figures in society that are usually associated with trust. These pedophiles knew what they were after and by using these disguises it was a much easier way to pick up a child. And it worked well. The kids didn't believe for a second that the guy might not actually be a cop. Also the cop worked better in that type of situation which is why the priest just stayed in the car...That's my opinion on the ring.

I don't think it should have ended any earlier than it did because at the parade (which also leads to your last point "All I really learnt was that it's damn easy to get away with murder in Masechusets.") when Sean did the little gun motion at Jimmy it basically meant he was coming after him(not to kill him but to charge him with the murder). Sean knew that it was Jimmy who killed Dave and this time he wasn't going to get away with murder. So with what you said, no it's not easy to get away with murder there. Yes Jimmy did get away with it once before but Sean wasn't going to let that happen this time...

That's just my interpretation.
:)

[cheebus420]

wow, harsh criticism. Perhaps I was expecting too much, I attended this film after hearing all the massive hype about it, then felt slightly let down.
You'd think sean penn would be a bit more effected after learning he murdered his friend ( i understand he didn't consider him to be dave at all , dave died when they were kids ) with wrong cause.
Plus the soundtrack disgusted me, it was used at the most unapropriate times. It was so simplistic too, I learnt afterwards that it was Clint Eastwoods composeral debut.

[Moon]

I personally thought this movie was pretty damn good. The whole catholic priest deal was imo insignificant to the plot of the story. I guess it reflected the controversy of the pedophile cases in the past years but regardless, the fact is that there are some sick fucks out there in high positions like cops and priests. I really think it is insignificant to the story and does not call for further elaboration.

Anyways, I think the focus was moreso on the effect of being a victim of pedophelia, and how it affects the way you are for the rest of your life. I mean, even the audience can't help but suspect Dave (Tim Robbins)'s guilt. He is a scary, mysterious character, but at the same time, you can't help but feel a large amount of compassion and sympathy towards him. So above all, whoever it was that abducted and raped Dave, whether it be a priest or a random passerby is insignificant, since the after effect of the ordeal would of still been the same.

As for Jimmy's response to his mistake, I don't see the big deal in how the writers of the movie made sean penn react to it. Did you expect him to fall on his knees and cry in complete misery? I mean common he even concealed most of his emotions over the death of his frickin daughter! Jimmy's character is a tough one i think you're making an issue out of something very minor.

and Jimmy getting away with murder? that one is hard to say because we don't know. but if you think about the reality of the case, Sean does not have power to conceal the facts since a murder investigation would have to take place..... but regardless, this is a silly argument.