River's Edge (1986)

A high school slacker commits a shocking act and proceeds to let his friends in on the secret. However, the friends' reaction is almost as ambiguous and perplexing as the crime itself.

Director:

Tim Hunter

Writer:

Neal Jimenez

Stars:

Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye

4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Crispin Glover	...	Layne
Keanu Reeves	...	Matt
Ione Skye	...	Clarissa (as Ione Skye Leitch)
Daniel Roebuck	...	Samson
Dennis Hopper	...	Feck
Joshua John Miller	...	Tim (as Joshua Miller)
Roxana Zal	...	Maggie
Josh Richman	...	Tony
Phillip Brock	...	Mike
Tom Bower	...	Bennett
Constance Forslund	...	Madeleine
Leo Rossi	...	Jim
Jim Metzler	...	Mr. Burkewaite
Tammy Smith	...	Kim
Danyi Deats	...	Jamie

Storyline

A group of high school friends must come to terms with the fact that one of them, Samson, killed another, Jamie. Reactions vary, as Layne is intent on protecting Samson and smuggling him out of the state, while others think it's best to go to the police. Matt's tough little brother also finds out about the body and no one knows quite how the police will learn about the murder or who will be blamed for it.

---

Plot Keywords:

child drives a car | child with a gun | murder of a nude woman | friend | police | 

---

Taglines:

The most controversial film you will see this year.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

River's Edge

Filming Locations:

8301 Foothill Boulevard Sunland, CA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,900,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,600,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hemdale,Island

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White (opening sequence) Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Corey Haim was originally cast as Tim, but he got sick after the first day of production and had to be replaced. Joshua John Miller ended up playing this role.

---

Goofs

When Layne makes the phone call to Feck from the phone booth (right as the police burst in on Feck), the reflection of a crewmember in a light colored shirt can be seen moving in the glass of the phone booth.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Checker: [points at legal age sign]
Samson: That's a real nice sign, how much.
Checker: I have to see ID.
Samson: I left it at home. How much?
Checker: I'm not going to sell you this unless you show me ID.

---

Connections

References Mission: Impossible (1966)

---

Soundtracks

Tormentor
Written by Jeff Hanneman
Performed by Slayer

User Reviews

A Study in Interactive Psychology

I just saw this movie for the second time. I first saw it back in the mid-90's as a Vanguard Video selection. It has retained it power.

It is interesting from several aspects. One is that it is based on a true story. Two is it is a launching pad for two interesting actors: Keanu Reeves and Crispin Glover. And three, it has Dennis Hopper in one of his better social misfit/psychotic character roles.

The movie is also a study in the way people act in different settings. You have characters in one-on-one, family, peer group, school, general society settings, etc. The story does well in demonstrating how a person will act in each setting.

I wish I could find the details of the actual murder to compare to the movie. I saw a short bit that indicated it occurred in California and that several schoolmates were taken to view the corpse.

This is a good choice for a rainy night video rental. Be prepared to feel unsettled at the end.