Rachel River

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.

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.

Pamela Reed gives the best performance of her career is this wonderful, thought-provoking film. She plays Mary Graving, a divorced woman with two children. I think this is the kind of movie that you will either love or hate. I loved it. I've watched it probably a dozen times since I first discovered it on PBS. All of the actors are great; in fact, the acting is very low-key but to me that's what made this such a great movie. The characters are real, it's easy to believe in them as they go about their daily lives in a small town during a snowy winter. James Olson is very good as a would-be suitor and Craig T. Nelson makes the most out of a small role. Viveca Lindfors is always worth watching but it's Pamela Reed's performance that makes the movie a winner. I was kind of surprised that she didn't get any awards for this, her performance is that good. She makes the character of Mary Graving a interesting, flawed, complex individual, IMHO. Go to netflix.com, get this movie and let yourself be caught up in this film and the residents of Rachel River.

If you want car chases, gunfights and explosions, this isn't the movie for you. If you enjoy the craft of simple storytelling, small town life and the picturesque nature of Sandstone Minnesota, well, then I think you should buy this movie.

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.