The River King (2005)

Abel Grey is sent to investigate the death of a boy from an exclusive local school, who is found floating in the river. Fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide. But after ... See full summary »

Director:

Nick Willing

Writers:

Alice Hoffman (novel), David Kane (screenplay)

Stars:

Edward Burns, Jennifer Ehle, Thomas Gibson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Burns	...	Abel Grey
Jennifer Ehle	...	Betsy Chase
Thomas Gibson	...	August 'Gus' Pierce
John Kapelos	...	Joey Tosh
Jamie Thomas King	...	Harry McKenna (as Jamie King)
Rachelle Lefevre	...	Carlin Leander
Bruce Murphy	...	Joey's Son
David Gibson McLean	...	Young Abel (as David Maclean)
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	Eric Herman
Ross Petty	...	The Dean
David Christoffel	...	Matt Farris
Richard Fitzpatrick	...	Police Chief
Karl Pruner	...	Walter Pierce
Jonathan Malen	...	Nathaniel Gibb
Jeff A. Wright	...	Robbie (as Jeff Wright)

Storyline

Abel Grey is sent to investigate the death of a boy from an exclusive local school, who is found floating in the river. Fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide. But after discovering from the boy's girlfriend, Carlin, that he was being badly bullied, Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiation has gone horribly wrong and he secretly solicits the help of a sympathetic teacher, Betsy. He is warned off the investigation by his boss, as the school is a generous benefactor to the Police benevolent fund. Abel, however, cannot let the case go, not only because his own brother committed suicide years before, but also it seems that the spirit of the dead boy is leaving them clues as to what really happened that night.

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Plot Keywords:

private school | indoor pool | based on novel | police officer | schoolteacher | 

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Taglines:

It's the truth that haunts us

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violent images

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the film, Abel's father, Ernest, recalls how Abel's brother had hugged him the day that he committed suicide. Ernest then remarks that he found it strange because it wasn't Frank's way. This dialogue is taken directly from a scene where Abel is talking to his mother rather than his father.

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Goofs

The scene where Abel and Joey are driving in town and Joey honks the police car horn at Doreen Barker has numerous continuity errors. There are four camera angles: one angle is from the hood of the police car looking down the street, the second angle is from the hood of the police car and shows Abel and Joey up close, and the third and fourth angles are wide angles showing the police car and the entire street. The most noticeable errors are as follows: The number of cars following the police car and the distance between them and the police car changes from angle to angle; The make and model cars shown driving in the opposite direction before and after passing the police car change from angle to angle; Just before Joey honks the horn at Doreen you see two women walking down the street. The first woman, presumably Doreen, is walking on the sidewalk towards the police car and is wearing a blue hat without a purse over her shoulder. As Joey honks the horn he turns his head as if to look back at Doreen yet the very next camera angle shows Doreen wearing a white hat, red scarf, and different color blue jeans with a purse on her shoulder. She is also now walking in the opposite direction of the police car which has not yet passed her. As the police car passes Doreen you can clearly see that Joey is no longer riding in the police car.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Joey Tosh: Get in there!

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Connections

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

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Soundtracks

I Gotta Sing
Written by Alex Germains, Ceris James and Tomas Kelar
Performed by Mountaineers
Published by Mute Song Ltd.
Courtesy of Mute Records Ltd.

User Reviews

A good story well acted

I don't know why it is called "The River King", but it is a compelling movie. It has a good story line. There are some great possible endings and at least one of the best was selected. Any weak moments are covered over pretty well by the fine, believable acting of Edward Burns. Jennifer Ehle is worth watching anytime. Rachelle LeFevre should do well in the acting business. I'd recommend the movie to anyone who is interested in entertainment without unrealistic computer graphics. It was most entertaining. While it may well perpetuate the "myth" that all elite schools have bad boys leading other bad boys in deadly hazing rituals, it does not portray them in a good light.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 2005 (Canada)

Also Known As:

The River King

Filming Locations:

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kismet Film Company, imX Communications, Myriad Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 95 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1