Verdict: Something must be said about the richness of 'Mystic River', which is at once a gripping psychological study, an astute piece of ethnography, and a bleak and ironic tragedy. It is the rare American movie that aspires to — and achieves — the full weight and darkness of tragedy. In fact, 'Mystic River' (directed by Clint Eastwood) could well be the most soulful, and most organic, movie of the year so far - for many a year even! This is a very powerful tale of crime, guilt, and punishment at its finest.