Blue River

This is a highly watchable film, with enough adult content that if you see the movie with young alert children, you will be answering some questions, but unfortunately the questions relating to plot will be unanswerable. We are presented with some mature troubles that do not have happy resolutions, unfortunately these ultimately are left floating.

The film has more of an appearance of bringing up such mature issues as sexual politics, vengeance, obsessive behavior, but due to the plot weakness, it can't face them squarely.

It compares to a certain extent with such brother on brother movies as "A River Runs Through It" but lacks the thoroughness that makes greatness, as with such a movie as "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Blue River has many things going for it and a few that detract from its potency. On the plus side, it features a literate script, decent direction and some fine acting. On the down side, it has some horrible hair and prosthetic make up and Jerry O'Connell.

Let's start with the worst -- Jerry O'Connell's performance... or maybe his hair piece...no, the acting wins out by a ... oh, I'm not going to say it.. Having only seen O'Connell in Stand By Me, where his character is rather endearing, his hammy overacting here came as quite a jarring surprise. One can almost hear O'Connell thinking, "I am an Actor!" every time he is on screen. He telegraphs every thought, every move, of his character, Lawrence, turning each into a "special moment." It doesn't help that his character is supposed to be mercurial and edgy, giving him an excuse to over emote. Check him out as he swills a beer and dramatically dashes the plastic cup to the ground. It is difficult not to laugh.

On the up side here is Nick Stahl's performance. Seeing these actors as a foil for each other only serves to highlight Stahl's talent all the more. Where O'Connell's artificiality is irritating, Stahl's naturalness is inspiring. He manages to take a much less meaty character than O'Connell's and imbue him with a depth and emotional reality that leaves a lasting impression. In the intense confrontations between the two brothers, Stahl's acting is the emotional center. As his character begins to see the cracks in his brother's lies, he allows the anger and dismay to naturally shine through.

Overall, the supporting actors here do a fine job. The scenes between Stahl's character and that played by Patrick Renna are great. Renna builds a complex and compelling youth whose own destructive nature mirrors that of Lawrence. Susan Dey looks great here in her fragile kookiness, but one gets the feeling that some of her scenes may have been cut out, leaving her character a bit underdeveloped. This is even more true for Sam Elliott, playing the flawed Henry Howland well, yet ultimately remaining flat. As the younger sister, Jean Marie Barnwell was impressive in her few scenes and left me thinking I will keep my eyes open for her in the future.

Blue River is well worth seeing despite its flaws. One can't help wishing that this project had been financed as a film rather than a TV movie, since it has such a fine script and might have done well. See it for the decent performances and story .... or to giggle at O'Connell's very bad hair day.

The story opens in the present… After fifteen years of non-communication, homeless and disheveled Jerry O'Connell (as Lawrence Sellers) arrives to visit his younger brother, handsome and successful Neal McDonough (as Edward "Ed" Sellers). Mr. McDonough gives his wayward sibling food, money, clothing, and a cleansing shower - but balks when Mr. O'Connell sheepishly asks if he can stay for a few days. All things considered, O'Connell says he would have reacted similarly. So, McDonough puts O'Connell on a bus headed out of town. Then, he recalls their youth…

In the past… Single mom Susan Dey is raising O'Connell with his brother (now played by Nick Stahl), and sister (Jean Marie Barnwell), in a small Wisconsin town. Young Stahl idolizes brother O'Connell, despite his juvenile delinquent tendencies. They live in a lovely home, but dysfunction reigns. Influenced by O'Connell, Stahl befriends Patrick Renna (as Zoltan Morris), a kid with one testicle and a taste for arson. Meanwhile, Ms. Dey takes comfort in Christianity, and dates religious principal Sam Elliott (as Henry Howland). Mr. Elliott is raising a disabled daughter…

Based on a novel by Ethan Canin and neatly directed by Larry Elikann, "Blue River" (their town) is a strange but satisfying TV drama. Things get off to a rocky start with O'Connell's freakish "Planet of the Apes" make-up job - but, this is more the result of uneven production values than skill; other aspects of the film look very good. The performances are excellent, right down to smallish roles like the one played by Merritt Wever; her "Lottie" is an outstanding debut. Although not finally nominated, it's likely that a few of the participants were considered for "Emmy" awards.

******* Blue River (11/21/95) Larry Elikann ~ Jerry O'Connell, Nick Stahl, Susan Dey, Sam Elliott

A low-paying gig for known actors in need of work and for kids who want a shot at it. It is heavy-handed and unnatural - a 90-minute sequence of vignettes that is intended to have an impact but which has no flow or rhythm. It is all very mechanical and dispirited.

I got this video on the flip side of a Sam Elliot double feature DVD in a bargain bit filled with forgettable TV movies. Not worth the time spent to watch.

Enjoyed this film which takes place in a Wisconsin town concerning two brothers. The story begins when Lawrence Sellers, a homeless drifter, shows up at the home of his brother Edward, a successful doctor, and then the film has flash's backs to their youth and the problems which made them drift apart for fifteen years. The older brother Lawrence, (Jerry O'Connel) is mentally troubled over their father who abandoned the family and he is determined not to let his family be humiliated. There are many deep secrets which exist in the entire family and the ending will be a great surprised. There is arson being committed throughout the town and the wrong man is accused of this crime.