Rachel River

This wintry slice of North Plains Americana works like an antique book of hours, capturing with uncanny accuracy the dormant lives of small town people whose existence is measured by the length of their memories and by the passing hours of each slow day. The film has a striking sense of place, with the lonely town of Rachel River, Minnesota, providing its most compelling character. All the other roles, from Pamela Reed's independent single mother and backwoods radio jockey to Craig T. Nelson's crude, shabby deputy sheriff, are only extensions of the town's own faded spirit, and the sometimes meandering storyline follows a measured, halting rhythm of life in isolation. Not always consistent, but a beautiful mood piece, with haunting landscapes photographed by Paul Elliott.

I saw the premire of this film in my hometown, where some of it was filmed. After seeing the cast, I had high hopes that this would be an excellent film. Even though I prefer character and plot movies, this one left me behind. The story was too plodding, even for me. I guess my 1st clue that this was a loser, was when only the director showed up for the premier. Apparently all of the significant performers realized too, that this one was a

I saw this film when it was first released, on the big screen in Los Angeles (in Century City's multi-plex, for those of you who know the city).

It was lovely. The audience, including me, was completely rapt. All these years later, I still remember scenes and images from Rachel River. Vivica Linfors is particularly strong here.

The biggest vote of endorsement came at the end of the film, when THE ENTIRE THEATER AUDIENCE spontaneously rose to their feet and gave the film a long STANDING OVATION.

Believe me, the times this happens with a jaded LA audience are few and far between. The film is that good - nuanced storytelling and performances, lovely cinematography, thoughtful and sensitive direction and editing.

I only wish it was available on Netflx. Maybe if enough of us request it Netflix will add it. This is one film that must not be lost to the dustbins of history.

Maybe the first commentator, Dave, is a 'terminator' type guy. If you are looking for fast cuts, lots of action and have a short attention span this movie is not for you. If you like slower, slice of life, meandering movies you will like this. I thought the acting was good and the story dealt with life's little uncertainties in a convincing way.

The attempt to make a movie of this subtlety in the United States of the late 1980s was extraordinary, and the measure of how simply yet successfully it was done equally so. The result is moving and exemplary, and especially so for screenwriters, for it shows how much can be done at little cost if a company of filmmakers commit themselves to focusing upon people rather than hype. Readers of this comment needn't read further, for it ends here. However, the 'guidelines' for posting require me to 'hype' its length to ten lines - so I am obliged to repeat: RACHEL RIVER is moving and exemplary, and especially so for screenwriters, for it shows how much can be done at little cost if a company of filmmakers commit themselves to focusing upon people rather than hype.