Acting extravaganza out on DVD

Director Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novel, "Mystic River," arrives on DVD as one of the most critically lauded films in recent memory.\nThe story concerns a group of boyhood friends, now in their forties, and their wives, dealing with the aftermath of a mysterious murder of one of their daughters. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins both won Oscars for their portrayals of haunted Bostonians forced to come to grips with events in the past, as well as circumstances in the present. The heartfelt acting and assured screenplay drives the film forward, though, while Penn's performance is exemplary (if a tad over the top), his Oscar still rightfully belongs to the great Bill Murray.\nThere are no discernable special features on the one-disc edition, however, a three-disc set is also available (more so for purchase than for rental) containing a commentary track by actors Robbins and Kevin Bacon, a lengthy making-of documentary with personal cast and crew interviews and the complete CD soundtrack with orchestral music composed by Clint Eastwood himself.\nFilled with overcast skies, hard hearts and a brooding acting extravaganza in every sense of the word, "Mystic River" is one of the most emotionally affecting films of the past year and certainly worth a look on DVD.