The River King

It was a very good movie, with a wonderful mood and fairly strong story, although it wasn't telling the story you thought it was. The characters were very strongly drawn, I thought, and the pacing was terrific.

Nothing blew up, no CGi effects, and it's not based on a comic book, but I liked it anyway. And the two women leads were well worth watching, and Edward Burns is worth watching anytime. The musical score was well chosen to pace the movie.

I recommend it for a contemplative mood, when you're in the mood to "curl up with a good movie."

I like to like movies that qualify as small gems. TRK had all the potential for such and, for the first forty minutes or so, looked to qualify. The acting wasn't bad (Ed Burns is just a bit too low key) the script is crisp and the pacing, shoot and story suspenseful. Indeed there were a dozen different prospects for; e.g., who the bad guy was going to be. I can't agree with some of the other comments herein that there was enough mood, fine acting, dialog, etc., to distinguish TRK as excellent cinema. But again, after more than a half hour I'm totally absorbed by the plot potential.

It is almost as if TRK sets up the viewer for a thousand possibilities only to intentionally fulfill absolutely none of them. A move "fizzles" when it paints itself into a corner then escapes in a clumsy manner. TRK paints itself into a corner and then climbs out a window. Again, there are not enough fine points about this movie to make it enjoyable on another level. Virtually every aspect of the build-up centers on facts, twists, questions, etc., that go unanswered. It is truly difficult to imagine what the makers of TRK wanted the viewer to enjoy about this movie.

As a thriller, The River King is as fast paced as thawing ice. Its intensity is in the isolation and disillusionment of a man who is determined to uncover the truth, though nothing is what it seems.

The body of a teenage boy is discovered in an ice-clogged river and two local cops from the bumbling school of "what do we do now?" investigate his death. An accident, suicide or homicide? Seems straightforward, except that one of the cops is seeing things that aren't there and a photography teacher is developing some eerie pictures. A conspiracy, misperception, or paranormal haunting? This intriguing film that uses sleight of hand to make you think it is about one thing, when it is actually about another.

No extras on the DVD.

(*) Review title inspired by lyrics of "Riverside" by Agnes Obel Slow (occasionally too slow) but ultimately rewarding, nonetheless. That is probably the best and most honest way to describe "The River King". It's an old-fashioned murder mystery, although with supernatural touches and intense psychological overtones. The plot isn't nowhere near original, but it's absorbing from start to finish and there's a lovely end-twist, and - moreover - the filming locations and soundtrack are staggering, and the performances are more than good.

In a quiet and remote snowy town in Nova Scotia (what a beautiful region), the body of a student at an elite private boarding school is found in the river. The school's board, as well as the local Chief of Police, quickly wrap up the incident as a tragic suicide to avoid a massive scandal. Honest officer Abel Grey, however, strongly suspects it was a murder, and maybe even with some elite citizen and questionable hazing rituals involved. Abel's curiosity is not appreciated, and he is soon blamed for still having a hard time with his own brother's suicide. Still, Abel finds some evidence to keep the investigation open, and he also gets help from a lovely teacher at the school.

Edward Burns and Jennifer Ehle (who looks an astounding lot like a young Meryl Streep) are excellent, and what I really appreciate the most was how director Nick Milling subtly touches upon philosophical themes.

I don't know why it is called "The River King", but it is a compelling movie. It has a good story line. There are some great possible endings and at least one of the best was selected. Any weak moments are covered over pretty well by the fine, believable acting of Edward Burns. Jennifer Ehle is worth watching anytime. Rachelle LeFevre should do well in the acting business. I'd recommend the movie to anyone who is interested in entertainment without unrealistic computer graphics. It was most entertaining. While it may well perpetuate the "myth" that all elite schools have bad boys leading other bad boys in deadly hazing rituals, it does not portray them in a good light.