The River Wild (1994)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Curtis Hanson

Writer (WGA):

Denis O'Neill (written by)

Release Date:

30 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

The vacation is over

Plot:

Meryl Streep takes on a pair of armed killers while navigating a spectacularly violent river.

Plot Keywords:

River | Rafting | White Water Rafting | Knife | Mother Son Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 nomination

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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence and threatening moments.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Peru:14 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Norway:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

David Foster Productions

Trivia:

Meryl Streep did most of her own stunts.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: After Tom jumps off cliff into the river he coaxes the family dog, a yellow lab named "Maggie", into jumping in after him. Throughout the entire movie the dog is called "Maggie" and referred to as "girl" but when the dog leaps from the cliff into the river, you can clearly see it's a male dog.

Quotes:

Wade: I'm in charge now. I could bury you and Roarke tonight. I could do anything I want with you.
Gail: Then go ahead. Don't keep telling me how tough you are, Wade, just show me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mad About You: Outbreak (#5.7)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

The Water is Wide

Streep Braves the Rapids...and Succeeds.

No, I didn't say Gail braves the rapids...but Meryl Streep, not only literally, but metaphorically. Streep is definitely the actress of our time, and in no small part to her ability to tackle difficult roles of many colors, and do them without breaking a sweat. Such is true with "The River Wild", a predictable, but entertaining river rapids adventure/hostage drama. Streep incorporates her role with strength, humor, and even a bit of vulnerability. Backed by the menacing Kevin Bacon and the refined David Strathairn (the ultimate everyman...that's a compliment), Streep holds her own in a genre that one doesn't necessarily think of when her name comes to mind. One tremendous scene involves Streep reminding her captor (Bacon) of the dangers of the upcoming waterfall/rapids system known as "The Gauntlet"...Streep whispers determination and threats, promises of anger and doom, directly into Bacon's ears with a quite rage, only to be turned to an edge-of-tears monologue when her family comes to mind. Bravo to Curtis Hanson's pre-"L.A. Confidential" film (1997's SHOULD HAVE for Director and Picture). The plot itself may have holes, but with the talents of Streep, backed with the reliable cast, "The River Wild" packs quite a punch of entertainment and thrills.