Dark Blood

I was really excited when in late 2011 George Sluizer announced that he was going to try to finish 'Dark Blood', some years after Sluizer had an aneurysm and learned that his remaining time was limited. I've heard of the difficulties surrounding the film, the legal complications and so on. So when it was announced that Mr Sluizer was going to raise money in order to be able to pay for the finishing of the film (the post-production: sound editing, editing, musical score, etc.) through Crowdfunding, I almost instantly donated some money through the CineCrowd website. In gratitude I received a very rare limited edition DVD, and some positive lit negatives inside the DVD-box. I was a bit surprised by the high quality of the footage, since it has not been used for 19 years or so. I know about the difficulties off set between River Phoenix and Judy Davis, and between Davis and the director. But it definitely doesn't show in the actual film. The acting is quite natural, and in my opinion the performances by River, Judy and Jonathan Pryce are pretty good. As I said before, the images are very clear, and the added sound effects and musical score are also in place here. The music at some points reminded me a bit of Pieter Bourke ans Lisa Gerrard's score for 'The Insider'. I'm not going to spoil anything or tell how it ends, but for me it was a rare chance to finally see this interesting project, and also River Phoenix' last film.

I never really took much notice of River movies at the time he were alive but this film had me feeling a good connection to the character and story. The pace of the movie felt similar to No Country For Old Men. The missing scenes did not seem to subtract from the movie as the main story is there and as stated the director gives us a voice over. Certainly a film to watch again.

This is the last film with River Phoenix. Meaning: as Phoenix died in 1993 and Dark Blood was only 80% shot, it took almost 19 years to get the material edited into the final cut. All scenes that haven't been shot are read as a voice-over by director George Sluizer over paused images. While that creates a distinct kind of movie experience, it doesn't seem to be something I'm very fond of. Of course, Dark Blood is a film that's all about Phoenix. Just like James Dean in 1955, Phoenix generated a cult following because of his untimely death. Mostly remembered for his roles in Stand by Me, Running on Empty, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and My Own Private Idaho, Phoenix never really had the chance to become the actor he could've been. That doesn't mean everything he did was pure genius though... In Dark Blood I'm just not feeling the Phoenix-vibe. Above all, it's quite a dull movie. Only recommended for those who want to see Phoenix shine one last time.

"Dark Blood" known notoriously as River Phoenix's last film, as he died tragically and suddenly during filming, is what folks in the industry call a compromised film. With 80-85% of the scenes shot and after years upon years of dealing with legalities and George Sluizer himself trying to get his work back in his hands, "Dark Blood" is a film we can now watch and witness River Phoenix's last performance. Certainly, a bucket list item for many fans as this film had been "lost" my entire lifetime. A message to any who have waited--it is worth it. Based on some other reviews I have read, I have a differing opinion then most regarding the film as whole as I will try to explain the best I can.

At this point in time I have only seen one other film directed by Sluizer which is 1996's "Crimetime" so I do not have much to judge his talents from. All I can say is what really is the main attraction to the film, other than the fascination of Phoenix's last role, is the surprisingly fantastic directing and editing Sluizer managed to get done prior to his own death in 2014. This is potentially his best work even though scenes are missing. Sluizer makes a brave choice (and one he was definitely limited in making) by deciding to narrate the missing scenes over still shots or extra film that was taken during the shoot, and it works magnificently.

This works so well because the film already has a very spiritual and existential vibe to it. The major coincidence that nearly all of the intimate scenes are missing you would think the film would be worse off for it, but instead the poetic and specific details of the narration (from the script?) fits the footage Sluizer chose to overlay it with. The end result is haunting.

The three leads are all very strong. I think Phoenix is a bit overhyped, but part of that is probably because of his legacy and the overall fascination people can have with what could have been and that's ok. Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis are really get compliments to the younger boy that River plays. I could feel some issues with the dynamics between the characters and I assume that is due to the immense strain and complications that infamously arose during production, but those mishaps are never large enough to disrupt the beautiful and arid desert aesthetic.

"Dark Blood" is far from flawless and that in itself is nearly the perfect compliment for a film that brings up the mixing of Native American and European races. As River's Boy mentions, "[There's] Dark blood in my veins" after he explains to Buffy what his heritage is. Maybe the film with all its imperfections is perfect in its own way.

You get the feeling the best scenes, presumably the interior shots of the boy's hut, were yet to be filmed. The director's intermittent narration that covers the missing scenes, seems to have the best dialogue. What is captured is largely unremarkable.. yet still highly watchable, because it's River Phoenix, right before he died.

The well documented "troubles" on set, with Judy Davis being "difficult" with River, allegedly expressing her distaste with his casting over Johnny Depp is ironic, because she herself seems miscast, along with Jonathan Pryce, an out of work film actor married to a former Playboy Bunny Davis.. Insert Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger during their honeymoon phase and we might have had a true screen gem.. if it were finished.. and had a higher budget.

All in all worth a watch, but regrettably River's performance is somewhat pedestrian and perhaps more a telling snapshot of his slide toward oblivion. This is the River with short black hair that sadly met his fate.