Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, Joseph Mazzello
From: Universal
Featuring a Jane’s Addiction reference suddenly relevant again! In short, the son of Meryl Streep and David Strathairn notices that Kevin Bacon is wearing a Lollapalooza hat; he’s impressed that Bacon was there, as he got to see Jane’s Addiction “before they broke up.” Presumably people now have seen the viral video of Perry Ferrell and David Navarro fighting during a recent concert—while not official, it sure looks like they broke up again. I had a hearty laugh at that line last night while viewing this movie for the first time in almost 30 years. The only time was soon after it was released on VHS, so the experience in its correct aspect ratio on Netflix was appreciated by me.
In essence, the movie is a standard 90’s thriller; however, the talent involved and the stunning river scenery are huge benefits. The lead couple are married but have a rather fractured relationship. They still go on a whitewater rafting trip in the Pacific Northwest-what misfortune then that they run into Kevin Bacon and John C. Reilly; while I try not to spoil, Reilly looked incredibly skeevy…
Some nitpicks could be made, sure. Instead of doing that, my appreciation for a 90’s studio thriller will be expressed. The keystone point to me in 2024: all the practical effects. The film constantly isn’t on the water yet was always thrilling or at least interesting. When it is, you realize that it won’t be the same in a modern remake or sequel as seeing digital figures whitewater rafting in a digital raft on a digital river just isn’t the same… I say that and remember that there actually IS a stand-alone sequel called River Wild which came out last year & to cynic me sounds like a generic script about rafting that had a movie title slapped on it to try and cash in. Apparently it isn’t all CG but cynic me again will presume it’s not as good. Back to 1994…
Having all those famous faces in the film is another huge advantage; they do elevate the material and it made me laugh seeing Streep in action and even threatening to kill someone. Heck, she is even treated as a badass lead by all the males in the film yet it wasn’t done in a modern “girlboss!” way that is incredibly controversial.
Mix in a cute dog-which doesn’t die-solid direction from Curtis Hanson, nice cinematography that shows off the rural setting, an actual fine child performance from Joseph Mazzello and the typical quality Jerry Goldsmith score meant that I appreciate the film more now than I did almost 30 years ago. Something unpretentious that doesn’t shoehorn in humor or try to “subvert expectations” fits my current tastes, as most who have followed me for even a short amount of time can attest to. I wish Netflix had more films like this rather than creating the latest catastrophe that unfortunately for Joey King has her as the lead.
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