Directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Space Cowboys, Absolute Power, Unforgiven,…)
Starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon and Laurence Fishburne
Some will like this film, others will hate it. Your average Agatha Christie reader might enjoy the mystery of trying to figure out “who did it,” but others might not like the dark subject matter.
The film opens with the story of three boys Jimmy (Sean Penn), Sean (Kevin Bacon), and Dave (Tim Robbins) and a tragic event that happens to one of them. Now, all grown up, they are tragically reunited when Jimmy’s daughter is found dead in a nearby park. Sean is the cop investigating the murder and Dave becomes the main suspect.
The plot hooks you immediately and the character development, aided by outstanding performances and a strong script, draws you in. As you get to know Dave, you’ll find yourself jumping back and forth along with his wife, questioning whether he is guilty or not.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
My kids won’t. We see someone stabbed, shot, attacked, and there are some implied horrors that are very unsettling. Check out www.screenit.com for all the details.
SHOULD YOU SEE IT?
It really depends what you define as entertainment. If you like murder mysteries, this is a good one and with great filmmaking. There’s no sex or nudity, but the subject matter is a little dark, the language is similar to what I heard on a bus in Boston, and there’s some violence.
Side Note:
We don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
