The River Wild

Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, Joseph Mazzello, John C. Reilly, Benjamin Bratt
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Thriller, Adventure
1994

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: A former river guide (Meryl Streep) takes her husband (David Strathairn) and her son (Joseph Mazzello) on a white water rafting trip. They meet two killers (Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly) on the run. They kidnap the family and force them to guide their raft down the most treacherous part of the river.

Review:

Tim: This movie is intense. I know I probably say that too much in my reviews, but I literally was tense from start to finish throughout this movie. Even in the beginning as they are setting up the backstory, I was nervous because I knew what was coming. Like white water rafting, this effective film leaves you gasping for air. Intense is an understatement.

Meryl Streep is marvelous. I'm not sure if she knew this was supposed to be some small adventure thriller, because she acts well enough to be deserving of some of the industry's top awards. This may be my favorite performance of hers (and she has been amazing on more than one occasion). Kevin Bacon is fantastic as the bad guy. I sometimes have a hard time seeing him in such roles, but he is chillingly believable here. John C. Reilly makes the perfect partner to Bacon. David Strathairn even brings his "A" game, surpassing the odds and being effective in a somewhat ineffective role.

The white water rafting scenes are astounding. The whole films holds up even today, and the scenes on the river are both beautiful and treacherous.

The River Wild is a truly wild experience. It is always exhilirating, occasionally terrifying, and truly a well made film. The cast is all top notch and you will not find a better film in the same vein as this one. I wish more of these kind of movies would be made. I am still trying to recover my breath from this movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: 8 Mile, The Goonies, L.A. Confidential