The River Wild (1994)

Rafting expert Gail takes on a pair of armed killers while navigating a spectacularly violent river.

Director:

Curtis Hanson

Writer:

Denis O'Neill

Stars:

Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Meryl Streep	...	Gail Hartman
Kevin Bacon	...	Wade
David Strathairn	...	Tom Hartman
Joseph Mazzello	...	Roarke Hartman
John C. Reilly	...	Terry
Benjamin Bratt	...	Ranger Johnny
Elizabeth Hoffman	...	Gail's Mother
William Lucking	...	Frank
Stephanie Sawyer	...	Willa Hartman
Victor Galloway	...	Gail's Father (as Victor H. Galloway)
Diane Delano	...	Ranger
Thomas F. Duffy	...	Ranger
Paul Cantelon	...	Violinist
Glenn Morshower	...	Policeman

Storyline

Gail, an expert at white water rafting, takes her family on a trip down the river to their family's house. Along the way, the family encounters two men who are unexperienced rafters that need to find their friends down river. Later, the family finds out that the pair of men are armed robbers. The men then physically force the family to take them down the river to meet their accomplices. The rafting trip for the family is definitely ruined, but most importantly, their lives are at stake.

---

Plot Keywords:

river | rafting | white water rafting | flashlight | plan gone wrong | 

---

Taglines:

The vacation is over

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and threatening moments

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

30 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Río salvaje

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£2,430,239 (UK) (17 March 1995)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Turman-Foster Company, David Foster Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Carrie Fisher was an uncredited script doctor on the film.

---

Goofs

Tom falls into the water from a cliff after being shot at and emerges soaking wet. A minute later his clothes are dry.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Gail: Roarke! Roarke! I've told you for the 157th time, turn that damn music off. I'm losing my hearing. Jeez. You gotta find your sneakers buddy. You owe me.

---

Crazy Credits

Dog named 'Maggie' is listed in the credits (almost top-billing) as being played by a dog named 'Buffy.'

---

Connections

Referenced in Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure (2001)

---

Soundtracks

"The Water is Wide"
(Violin Instrumental)
Performed by Paul Cantelon

User Reviews

Streep rides the rapids and has Bacon for breakfast

Meryl Streep plays a part out of her normal range in Curtis Hanson's 1994 actioner, as an expert whitewater rafter, who has to save herself and her son - eventually with the aid of hubby - from a couple of desperados, who insist on being taken through some awesome rapids. I don't know how much was Streep, how much stunt-double, and how much effects, but her character emerges as a convincing woman of action who is also an anxious mother.

Kevin Bacon is very effective as a regular guy, who just happens to be a psychotic criminal in his off moments; John C Reilly plays his weak, shifty sidekick; and Joseph Mazzello is the son, who initially finds Bacon more fun than his dad. It is David Strathairn, though, who for me takes the male acting honours, as a distant, serious-minded husband and father, who gets going when the going gets tough - though luckily, through thick and thin, he never loses his glasses!

There is more than a touch of Deliverance, and the ending is pre-ordained; but the film is entertaining and gripping throughout, and is aided by some breathtaking Rockies scenery, beautifully shot. (There's a faithful dog too!)