Blind River

The film presents itself as a crime novel, or rather, as a textbook "whodunit." The editing is so flawless it feels lifted straight from a beginner's video tutorial, and the narration takes itself far more seriously than anyone else in the room ever could. In the end, of course, there's a twist: we finally discover who the child kidnapper is. A revelation about as thrilling as finding out the butler did it.

The real problem is that the entire journey to get there is as dull as it is predictable. No tension, no emotion, nothing beyond the sensation of watching a made-for-TV movie that thinks it's Hitchcock. Still, if what you're after is something to fill a lazy afternoon, when the remote control is just too far away to change the channel, then it serves its purpose: wasting time with a certain degree of dignity.

The highlight, without question, is the promotional poster. Stylish, striking, and elegant... and about as truthful as an over-filtered profile picture. Everything else, by comparison, is nothing more than an exercise in grey, routine correctness.

I think this film is the first of many really well written and produced films from Carissa Stutzman. I heard this was her first film, and I was thoroughly impressed. Furthermore, the lead and supporting actors: Annalise Basso (Clair) and Tracy Campbell (Beck) were EXCELLENT! I would love to see them both in far more films. Well done! There are far more things I could say about the film - compliments are many - but there is one thing I didn't like, which was the abruptness of the ending. No Spoiler - but it ended too quickly for my liking. I thought it could have been more thought through and drawn out for climactic excellence.

I would absolutely watch again and everyone who was a part of this project should be very proud of it. There were plenty of suspenseful moments throughout and I think hey did exactly what they were trying to accomplish. Here is my positive and negative list:

Positives:

• Leads were great
• It looks really good
• The tone and themes stay strong in the writing throughout the entirety of the movie

Negatives:

• I thought the little girl was no bueno
• Red herring character was too obviously a red herring
• Beck's character (Tracy Campbell) wasn't in it enough
• Some of the writing was too on the nose.

This film had beauty, depth and suspense. I feel like a lot of films these days don't have the heart that they used to and this film absolutely does.

As a mother, I deeply resonated with the main character, Claire. I would do anything and go to any length for my children. The overall message is to trust that gut feeling you have as a parent.

I believe the writer and director, Carissa Stutzman, is absolutely brilliant. The twists and turns to the depth and heart. She just gets it. And the film is one of those that has you thinking for days after. It's one that begs to be watched again & again...

This story of a mother's passion to find her child regardless of the obstacles draws you in quickly and doesn't let you go. Annalise Basso is the most believable blind person I've ever seen on film. Her relationships with her boyfriend and those in her town are complex, intriguing and heartbreaking. Brilliant performance.

Well-paced and authentic story telling, powerful writing and direction by Carissa Stutzman.

Beautifully filmed with cinematography that unobtrusively makes the setting as much a part of the story as the characters. An excellent musical score adds to the atmosphere and tension.

The actors deliver powerful performances, especially Basso, Stephen Ogg, Jay Hugley and Tracy Chapman. The history of Claire (Basso) and Walker's (Ogg) characters unfolds over time and is believable and powerful.