Countless movies employ revenge as the sole component of the plot--the ultimate goal. Mystic River challenges this archetype by successfully providing two instances of vengeance gone wrong. The film’s plot clearly emulates the proverb, “revenge converts a little right into a great wrong” through Jimmy’s rash actions and conclusions. Always known as a troubled and rebellious kid, Jimmy strives to set his life straight, as said in the movie, but breaks down these walls when his daughter is murdered. Though only attaining a small amount of evidence, he implicates Dave of this horrible crime and decides to murder him as an act of revenge. Early on in the film, he declares he will find Katie’s murderer and kill the perpetrator himself. After following through with the plans, Jimmy soon discovers he has killed the wrong man, murdering an innocent victim. Although cliche, this act of revenge distinctly depicts the saying: two wrongs never make a right.
Dave’s actions throughout the film also serve as an example of this saying. Haunted by the memories of his past and dealing with its effects on his mental health, Dave murders a pedophile as a way to seek revenge on the men who did the same to him, many years ago. Although he saves a young boy from a long life of disturbing memories, he commits a felony. This crime causes Jimmy to think he has killed Katie, eventually getting himself murdered as well. In both instances, Jimmy seeking revenge for his daughter and Dave seeking revenge for his lost childhood, each character’s actions result in disaster and further damage.
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| This picture represents the importance of not taking out one's own anger and depression on others, proving it will never result in a positive outcome. |
I agree that Jimmy's feelings of satisfaction are short-lived as he soon finds out Dave actually is innocent. Jimmy is like an alcoholic. He spends all of his time trying to stay sober and avoid alcohol (criminal activity), but one drink (Katie's murder) puts him right back where he started. Now that Jimmy has tasted alcohol again, will he return to alcoholism or will he try to stay sober for his other two daughters?
ReplyDeleteJimmy's intention on killing Dave was to show his love for Katie rather than show his hatred for Dave. Although he killed the wrong person, it demonstrates that he was willing to do anything for the people he loved. It was partially Dave's wife's fault for his death. She wasn't very trusting or loyal to her husband and jumped to the conclusion that he killed Katie.
ReplyDeleteGreat connection between the famous quote "two wrongs don't make a right". In order to summarize the movie that would be a classic quote to use. Both Dave and Jimmy committed crimes ,however, in two different manners. Dave rightfully killed the pedophile as you stated because of his mental state which is able to be forgiven since Dave did something that could potentially save another humans life. Jimmy on the other hand acted as a hothead and killed a man who suffered from a mental illness that was well known and killed dave on the account of insufficient evidence.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that Dave's revenge went wrong. Killing the pedophile was a cleansing experience for Dave, he finally let out all the anger and sadness that he has repressed since his kidnapping. Jimmy's revenge did go wrong because Jimmy acts before he thinks about the consequences of his actions. Jimmy killing Dave is bittersweet- Dave is finally at peace and the murder acts as an outlet to Jimmy's pain from the death of his daughter.
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