Mystic River (2003) | *First Time Watching* | Movie Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@denace2society591]

I was never gonna give this movie a second thought. I was hanging out with my buddies, and their parents had rented this. We're just sittin' around, bored, looking for something to do, so we watched this; I was blown away. The powerhouse performances by our 3 leads and all the supporting roles, hoo-wee. I'm not a parent, but I can feel what Sean Penn is giving us. That Clint Eastwood really knows how to make a film.

[@CroMagJohnson]

yeah, i was the same way. they played it at the student union of my college and i went to see it because i was bored and when i went back to the dorm i told everyone how good it was.

[@ImmaWright]

Clint Eastwood is not just an iconic actor but a legendary film maker

[@kylegacy]

The 'JIMMY - SEAN - DA' on the sidewalk is so hauntingly tragic. Dave, like his name in the cement, wasn't fully there. Missing. Vanished. Taken. Dennis Lehane - who wrote the novel - writes a lot of stories about the loss of innocence. The opening scene happened to him as a child. Thankfully he escaped the car. A lot of his works have been made into great films: Gone Baby Gone, Shutter Island, The Drop. Wrote for The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, created/wrote the phenomenal series Black Bird. I recommend all.

[@cvonbarron]

Excellent point, I never thought of that before.

[@roger5322]

have you ever seen...... Lovely Bones

[@suzanneanderson6921]

​@@roger5322 yes

[@I_ll_beer_back]

Director Clint Eastwood's dark, superbly staged and acted drama is heartbreaking and already a classic. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins were both honored with an Oscar in 2004.

[@christhompson6010]

Eastwood was in a groove cranking out masterpiece after masterpiece

[@juanitacope9455]

Here’s a lil Trivia Nugget: the scene when Sean Penn is being held back by the mound of cops was unscripted. He was given full control of his reaction & many on set (in uniforms) said trying to hold him back was like trying to hold a raging elephant or bull. It was done in one take with many cameras rolling at once.

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

That's Clint's directing style to totally give free reign to the actors. Some really big names have complained for the same reason being used to directors telling them exactly how they want a scene.

[@brettmuir5679]

​@@fionnmaccumhaill3257I was gunna say the same thing. Also, other directors shout, " ACTION " to begin a take... Clint just sits there and when he feels everything is ready he says, Ok

[@craigwise6374]

Awesome reactions from you two. Thanks mate this Aussie loved it❤

[@amyhowell]

@@fionnmaccumhaill3257

[@DocFranke]

He was looking at her like that because he has known her since the day she was born. He could see how happy she was dancing on the table, and you have to understand that because of what happened to him; who do you think was responsible for nothing happening to katy while her father was in prison? It was definitely Dave that kept an eye on her because he truly understood that there are vampires out there that will get her or any kid if noone is watching out. He is the only one that knows that and so he he has been keeping an eye on katy anytime she was within eyeshot outside of her home. That's why he didn't take his eyes off of her until she drove away in her car from the bar. There was nothing creepy about it.

[@danmiller4064]

Never judge a book by its cover. Tim Robbins was the star of this. Seemed like a timid broken man, until the interrogation scene, and he destroys the detectives. And he beat a man to death. Be careful, you never what’s hiding under someone’s demeanor. Great reaction, thank you

[@DonRoccoRicardo]

This movie is a masterclass in acting... Marcia Gay Harden's performance often gets overshadowed by the big three... But she deserved a best supporting actress award for this movie.

[@angelagraves865]

This is such a good movie. Gone Baby Gone and The Drop are also great movies based on Dennis Lehane books.

[@maniac50ae14]

I just watched GoneBabyGone last night for the first time

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

The book was amazing, and the movie did it justice. Every single actor just killed it, even the kids. Sean Penn finding out it was his daughter was one of the most heartbreaking scenes ever. His delivery of "Is that my daughter in there!" brings me to tears every time. How you like that twist ending, though?!

[@sheldondyck8631]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but the actor that played the liquor store owner is Eli Wallach who also played Tuco in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

[@coffeecakes1858]

Just a correction Asia, that is not the same woman as the mom in the Conjuring. Dave's wife is Marcia Gaye Harden. The mom in the Conjuring was Lily Taylor. I never clocked that they look alike. They really do.

[@chiefbigbeef52]

I dont think ive ever watched BJ havr to get up and walk it off before. This is an outstanding movie.

[@everythingisveganbut...4688]

Y'all should watch THE SLEEPERS...

[@dianedavid3052]

Sleepers is a fantastic movie with a phenomenal cast. Good shout!

[@galvestoncandlecompany5696]

I can never find that to watch again

[@hibhibb5429]

"WILD THINGS" with Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, Bill Murray, Robert Wagner is Definitely a movie to see!!

[@billpimentel-vm6cu]

Good call . Bacon’s on the other side in that one

[@brdsx5065]

Outstanding movie.

[@jazzyd312]

Brendan Harris, Katie's boyfriend, was played by Tom Guiry aka Scotty "your killing me, Smalls" from "The Sandlot"!

[@envillain]

OMG!

[@orlandoruizjr3834]

Seeing this in the theater was a hell of an experience. Gut wrenching. Sean Penn gave the performance of a lifetime in this. What an actor.

[@susanliltz3875]

Check out Sean Penn and Dakota Fanning in : “I AM SAM” Sean plays a mentally challenged man with a little girl and he has to fight to keep her, the law doesn’t think he’s a fit parent.. He has a lot of friends to help him!! So well done!!!

[@AceMoonshot]

Yeah, but Tropic Thunder springs to mind...never go there if you want Academy recognition.

[@rebo2610]

I second this recommendation! Wonderful film. Sean Penn's performance is phenomenal.

[@carson9359]

I've recommended this movie before a couple times. I hope they do it. Such a good watch!

[@ETcamper]

Rivers Edge starring Keanu Reeves is a must see!!

[@jtoland2333]

Agreed but a hard watch.

[@justjack0715]

Interesting fact. This movie was filmed in the neighborhood I grew up in East Boston and is the exact street that two other films were made as well. One being "Blown Away" & the other "The Equalizer!" The store Sean Penn is running was my buddy Marty's family store back in the day...

[@freeheeler00]

I do love hearing about movie locations and the communities that surround them. I really enjoyed reading the descriptions of the neighborhoods in the book and seeing it on film. Thanks for sharing!

[@NkosanaMakhubele]

We don't care just shut up😂😂😂

[@707Berto]

Another Clint Eastwood classic.

[@1969lumbee]

Dave's wife was also the crazy lady in the Mist.

[@Divamarja_CA]

And an Oscar winning actress for the film “Pollock.”

[@jasonbarton4521]

Asia and BJ, I've been with you since the pandemic and you keep making great choices! This one's grown on me over the years - chockful of AMAZING performances w/ Penn the center around which everyone else resolves. It's a true morality play - child abuse, unresolved trauma, and an object lesson in the fallacy of shoehorning facts to support your conclusion rather than allowing the facts to guide you to the truth, even if it's one you don't desire. The penultimate scene of Laura Linney comforting Penn as she tells him they did nothing wrong is chilling, right out of "Macbeth" - the wife absolving him of responsibility, which he readily accepts to deny responsibility for what he's done. Know what might be interesting next? Denzel Washington's "Macbeth!"

[@steve6valdez]

Y'all both can be forgiven for pinning it on Dave so early. He was giving creepy vibes when he was watching Katie at the bar. It's incredibly sad when you realize that he was looking at Katie, thinking of the fact that he was never given the chance to be a carefree young adult partying and laughing with friends at a bar. Since he was forced into that car, he carried the weight, sadness, and trauma of the event with him his whole life. Celeste really should have known better.

[@cog4life]

“KISS THE GIRLS” w/ Morgan Freeman & Ashley Judd! Great movie!! “THE CALL” w Halle Berry is such a great one, too! 😊

[@sjd5750]

Next up.."Gone Baby, Gone"..and then .:"Town"..both also set in Boston.

[@stevenmoules4955]

This is one of my favourite clint Eastwood directed movies!🙂

[@gwendolynfullard6539]

That scene alone won Sean Penn the Academy Award for Best Actor. That was the scene they showed during the reading of the nominees for Best Actor ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@BrooklynStitcher]

This was one of the rare times where the movie is just as good as the book. And the book was fantastic.

[@MariaPerry-qf1nw]

Everything about this movie is gr8!! The cast ❤ The writing ❤ The plot ❤ The ending 😢

[@rxtsec1]

Winner of best actor Sean Penn and best supporting actor Tim Robbins. I remember when I saw this at the theater I turned to my friend and said Tim Robbins was gonna win a Oscar. I wish I had predicted Penn also

[@eugenegrewing2587]

That scene where they discovered her body and the crowd was trying to hold him back, that was real. They gave it all the effort they had and they still couldn't hold him back.

[@bottle1lack743]

This and Grand Torino are my favorite movies Clint Eastwood directed.

[@JohnLoutsenhizer]

It's A Perfect World for me.

[@MovementGraffiti]

Clint Eastwood is know for shooting all scenes in one take as a director. I just wonder how actors like Sean Penn can bring all that intensity to the table in one take. What a movie omgdnss.

[@rxtsec1]

Yeah Penn said at max he does 4 or 5 takes but usually around 2 or 3. He was taken about by that style and they finished filming this in a month

[@MovementGraffiti]

@@rxtsec1 wow!

[@kennethrussell1158]

Tom Hanks said that he treats actors like horses

[@lauriebarrett6789]

Kevin Bacon thriller movie suggestion - "The River Wild" (1994). Also starring Meryl Streep, David Strathairn.

[@galvestoncandlecompany5696]

My fav thing about react videos is that I can finally watch films again after vowing to never do so. The buffer helps so much

[@michaelbloodgood7938]

Sean penn won the Oscar for this role. That scene hits you in the gut

[@RosieM1970]

This (the beginning scene) was my best friends street. She lived with her husband and kids there. I lived the next street over. I remember when they were filming this in good old East Boston!

[@byron2521]

Cool! The original Tuco, not the Tuco from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but the Tuco (the ugly) from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, is the liquor store owner @27:59 (of the gun liquor store hold up). Clint put his old friend in this movie. I wonder if they swapped stories about the old days of being on set of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?

[@jillwanlin9558]

Eli Wallach. Wow, thanks for that tidbit. I never would have recognized him.

[@imdiyu]

This is one of the few films that I like to put in a special catagory. The catagory being the films that turn your "Soul into Spaghetti."

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

Actress playing Sean Penn's daughter is in "SHAMELESS" as Fiona.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@kaydantonio3719]

Right there with you. I’m pretty sure we all suspected Dave and none of us suspected the kids. Intense, tragic movie.

[@louielouie22]

Sean's scene was the most powerful scene ever.

[@vendelayindustries]

Such a classic! This and "Changeling" were the two movies that made me realize what a fabulous film director Clint Eastwood is. Loved to see your reactions. This is a movie that makes you engaged in the story and makes you think for a long time after you've seen it.

[@katebe4933]

The moment Sean penn realizes it’s his daughter the some of the best acting ever in any movie. It was real, painful, and tortured.

[@siskens470]

Great reaction! Great movie. Kevin Bacon reminds of an amaaaaaaaazing movie called, 'Stir of Echoes' which has similarities. I promise you will not be disappointed.

[@dianedavid3052]

Great shout, that is a good movie

[@brdsx5065]

Sean Penn was incredible in this movie, they all were.

[@AnaCarolina-vy3gh]

I absolutelly fall for it....I watched it on the theatre and I remember exactly how dissapointed and hopeless I felt when it finished...specially after listening to Jimmy's wife. I love your reactions.

[@brucelee5620]

Blood freezing thriller for my man BJ : 8mm from 1999 Nicolas Cage Joaquin Phoenix and James Gandolfini ( from the writer of seven) 🥶🥶🥶

[@sallybags9090]

That's such an underrated movie.

[@alliel9970]

This is an exceptional movie. So glad you had a chance to watch it and share your reaction with us!

[@TheAnneishere]

Really enjoyed this. I had not seen this film before but now I need to get full version! Love your reactions ❤

[@vonashaffer]

Please check out Sleepers which is another crime thriller. All star cast (Kevin Bacon, Robert DeNiro, etc.)

[@OcGurl81]

Yes!!!!

[@hibhibb5429]

"WILD THINGS" with Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, Bill Murray, Robert Wagner is Definitely a movie to see!!

[@stubbornscorpio7]

One of my favorite movies. A gut punch all around. No happy ending in this movie other than Kevin Bacon’s character.

[@gavinyoung7085]

Great movie. One of my favorite thriller movies. Up there with Silence Of The Lambs and Kiss The Girls

[@Keithjmcc]

What kind of woman talks about her husband like that? I will never forget that line from this movie

[@thegirlinquestion]

she’s so good at playing awful characters

[@michaelmaloskyjr]

I remember seeing this in a theater when it came out. As much as I usually like Sean Penn in roles, Kevin Bacon's restrained, measured performance quietly stole the show from Penn's sometimes overwrought character.

[@bigmaven]

Love that Tim Robbins was part of two of the best movie twists of all time…

[@orlandoruizjr3834]

The mom in The Conjuring is Lili Taylor. Dave's wife is played by Marcia Gay Harden. They do look alike though. Easy mistake. 😊

[@pmbbmp]

Oh S! That liquor store owner was Eli Wallach...legendary actor. His first role was in 1956 in one of my all time favorite movies "Baby Doll" by Elia Kazan.

[@brettmuir5679]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching movies with Asia and BJ. This one was a hoot. The antics y'all pull off are hilarious...and the look on BJ's face when he realizes Dave is innocent but is gunna die.... Ever since the Harry Potter episode and the "Platapusaurus" comment that made me laugh so hard I peed myself, I decided you two are in my top 3 movie reaction channels. Y'all be almost 200k XD Thanks you guys. I love you too

[@kellifranklin4432]

Jimmy's wife is Lady Macbeth in this movie. Beautifully acted and directed.

[@zonedout5998]

You guys done did it now with this one! Instant classic. So classic, I’m commenting before even seeing the reaction. I’m sure it’s a great reaction as always!

[@DocFranke]

This blows prisoners out of the water. The movies that Clint makes pretty much from Unforgiven on, whether he stars in them or not, are just so damn good.

[@tommarks3726]

This is a heavy flick. When he screams, is that my daughter? , you can feel and hear his pain. Amazing Sean Penn

[@cripplermaximus]

I used to teach screenwriting and i loved using this flick. I would teach the novel, screenplay, and movie over three weeks. Great way to demonstrate how they are each different but all very good.

[@diamondstud322]

One of my favorite thrillers is “No Way Out” with Kevin Costner.

[@dougfisher1266]

This should be on every top 10 movie list ever made.

[@misadanielle7297]

I loved this movie when it came out. I was like 17. I bought it on DVD. Great choice

[@refillz5281]

Yes! Finally somebody I watch is reacting to one of my favorites 😭

[@roxysdg334]

This movie is so important and hard to watch! So glad you reacting to this!

[@dianel222]

Dennis Lehane’s book is also excellent. 💜💜💜

[@independenceltd.]

such a great film. clint eastwood in the director's chair

[@DavidPulliam-User311]

Thank you for sharing this reaction. This is one of my favorite movies.

[@kiana685]

One of my faves! Sean Penn is such an amazing actor.

[@kadams4992]

Top Five Movie of all time!

[@heidihoglund8792]

So happy you're reacting to this... One of my favorite movies of all time !

[@robrobertson4619]

I like movies with Kevin Bacon, he always plays good characters. A good one you may like is the 1994 movie, “The River Wild”. Stars Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep. Action/thriller/suspense. 😁👍

[@Santino3989]

Anyone seen ' RAILS AND TIES' it's a hidden gem.... great movie, great actin... if you like kevin bacon you gonna love 'rails and ties'

[@joeyrogers7017]

As someone already said, yes, watch Sleepers (1996). As far as Mystic River, I didn't think it was Dave because I felt it's too easy. For him to be the killer figured out so early didn't sit right.

[@whiteru55ian33]

3000 miles to Graceland. Once upon a time in America. Sleepers. All great movies with excellent casts

[@tinahairston6383]

Hard movie to watch but it shows what a powerhouse performance that Sean Penn gave to finally win his 1st Oscar after being nominated 3 times prior. Tim Robbins deserved his Oscar and it was definitely would've won for Best Picture if not for the final installment of the LOTR for sure.

[@lisasreactions7150]

Hi Ms. Asia and Mr. BJ, This is Really Great Movie 1st Time Watching It with Both of You. I'm never seen it before. This got me Speechless!

[@DocFranke]

There really isn't many Eastwood movies that are bad. I like everyone of them. This is a great underrated mafia movie

[@wordygirlandco]

❤LOVED the book.....LOVE the film. Strong acting bye all. Yes Gone Baby Gone is also AMAZING WITH NEXT LEVEL PERFORMANCES.

[@bigmaven]

Also, actor that played Brendan Harris is the same actor that played Smalls in The Sandlot

[@mickeykmiller]

Despite what people say about Sean Penn as a person, as an actor he is amazing. I highly recommend Bad Boys (1983) and I Am Sam (2001). I think you both would like them.

[@michellecasey5752]

I was trying to remember this movie just today to ask my sister to watch it with me. It is so good. I couldn’t remember the title, thoug. then bam! You happened to do a great review! Thank you.

[@sheilarose6121]

This is such a GREAT movie, but I'm still shook by the ending!

[@lonerebeI]

As gut wrenching as this is, this movie is an absolute must watch! Classic but poor Dave man

[@Patrick-df5fo]

This is a great movie! If you wanna see another good movie with some twists & turns then check out "Gone Girl" with Ben Afflick. Now I'm not the biggest Afflick fan but this is worth a watch.

[@mikehenson9984]

Collateral with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx is one of my favorites. If you want another great Sean Penn movie check out 21 Grams

[@mamamac70]

If you guys haven't reacted to Gone Girl with Ben Affleck you should! ❤

[@moisesherrera75]

HEYYYYYY! Eli Wallach (Tuco from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly).... Clint Eastwood ol partner. To cool! 27:43

[@billthomas478]

Another movie BJ will love is "The Interpreter" with Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman

[@ThistleAndSea]

Yeah, that's a good one, isn't it? Thanks for sharing it!

[@lauralouise1646]

I watched this movie when I was younger and it terrified me for life, I love horror,thriller,mystery movies but this movie I vowed never to watch it again, this is only my second time setting my eyes on this and its only cause asia and bj are here reacting. 😊

[@heatherneary1470]

I remember having a sick feeling in my stomach at the end of this movie. I remember thinking it had to be Dave but also it’s usually not the obvious one but never thought it was the kid. Such a good movie though

[@freeheeler00]

I love you two! Thanks for another great reaction to one of the greats!

[@PRiMO585]

This is such a great movie. I always felt that Dave kind of wanted to die... that he thought he was a monster like the person/people that killed Katie! Crazy film! Directed by Clint Eastwood!

[@jasondelgado-yg5mj]

Phenomenal cast! You should also check out Sean Penn in Bad Boys (1983)

[@laurakali6522]

Yes! No one ever reacts to that one.

[@cripplermaximus]

Nice pull with that suggestion. Sleeper hit.

[@michaelblaine6494]

Plus Fast Times,he doesn’t do nearly enough comedy but he’s great at it

[@frankmiranda9162]

Loved Bad Boys from 1984. Sean Penn and Esai Morales were epic. Check it out !❤

[@vanhattfield8292]

And "TAPS", with Tom Cruise and Timothy Hutton... Good Stuff.