The River (1984)
7/10
The river runs through it...
31 May 2016
This film portrays the powerful struggles that a lot of independent farmers, face. That being, corporate take over or buy-out's which fazes out the livelihood of a farmer and their families. The direction is colorful and nearly flawless. I agree with the previous reviewer though about Mel Gibson. His character, a mite too proud, is a little difficult to take sometimes. He definitely could have shown more bite in the scene where he is attacked by the strikers. The scene where he confronts Scott Glenn in the office is his best scene in this movie. But he definitely could have done a better job with the character. He seems miscast at times.

The on screen chemistry between Spacek and Gibson underscores the uncomfortable aura of the marriage in the movie. There's something strange about the couple, something that just doesn't click; a feeling of looming doom regarding their relationship. Scott Glenn's character does not help the uneasy tension. They're all just trying to keep their families afloat, is all. Mel Gibson played a terrific part in this movie and he was brilliant in every scene. Cinematography is nice. Country was a better take on this topic of the early 80's-people losing their family farms to the banks. Country had some show stopping moments of dialog delivered by Jessica Lange. Jessica seemed less a victim than the two main characters here. There is little triumph in the survival of Mel and Sissy.Jessica was more Joan of Arc than merely a survivor. The movie has a lot to do with the 1980's recession that is plaguing farms throughout the state of Tennessee, not to mention the constant flooding of the river that is threatening to wash away everything that the farmers worked hard for.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10. Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
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