Dying of apathy, exclusion and powerlessness

Tremaine 2022-04-20 09:01:08


Refusal to understand is a way of self-preservation. David's wife couldn't understand her husband's unfortunate childhood, and it was not that she didn't love him, or that she had confirmed that he was the murderer. She just felt scared. David could have explained to her that he hadn't killed his friend's daughter, but instead he talked about his childhood, when he was talking, trying to open up, and he failed. When his wife heard about his childhood, what she showed was not fear, but fear. She is afraid of her husband who is different from ordinary people in front of her. She is afraid that his dark psychology will hurt her and her son. She suspects that he has killed her friend's daughter. So, she ran away.

David knelt in front of Jimmy and said over and over again, I didn't kill Caddy, I didn't kill Caddy, I didn't kill Caddy...
and Jimmy wasn't totally disbelieving, if he chose to keep going.
However, his cowardice made him choose to compromise. Jimmy said, if you admit it, I'll let you go.
Such a lie, but David believed it. Because he is so cowardly. The trauma of childhood made him vulnerable.
He confessed, and Jimmy killed him.

Sean knows that Jimmy killed David. However, as a policeman, he chose to laugh it off. Because he is powerless.
It's the same powerlessness that he and Jimmy had when he and Jimmy watched David get pushed into that horrible car.
Ordinary people have a kind of fear and rejection of people who are not ordinary people.

David died of a demon, but also to the rejection, indifference and powerlessness of everyone.
This is what the film is about.

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Extended Reading

Mystic River quotes

  • Sean Devine: Do you remember the man's name?

    Liquor Store Owner: Do I look senile to you?

  • [thinking about Katie after her death]

    Jimmy Markum: I know in my soul I contributed to your death.