Director: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Meryl Streep, Joseph Mazzello, David Strathairn, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly
Year: 1994
Thrillers in the 90s were something else, and the fun we had scaring ourselves witless was pretty special. The River Wild is a quintessential 90s thrillride, with action & adventure, creeps & heroes, something awesome around every corner, and danger every time you trick yourself into feeling safe. Add in spectacular performances by an all-star cast and you’ve got something that is more than a solid time capsule, but a genuine gem from every angle.
Gail takes her family on a white water rapids camping trip, not only to enjoy a past time that she used to be very good at but also to reconnect with her husband, who is getting more & more distant from the family every weekend worked and birthday missed. But on the same river are a trio of criminals, and they’ll need her expertise to safely manage the rapids and secure their getaway. A struggle for survival ensues, with death on the water and a climax up in the air.
Curtis Hanson’s 90s run was fairly special: Bad Influence, Hand that Rocks the Cradle, River Wild, LA Confidental. He even did Losin’ It, one of Tom Cruise’s first films, and Wonder Boys, in 2000. Not too shabby for a name we’ve never heard of/remembered, and he showed real skill here, with a movie that’s just pure nail-biting entertainment. From moment one to final scene, this is a maniacal thriller with tense music and a brooding atmosphere that simply seeps into your bones and lodges itself in your throat. Time hasn’t dulled the effect either; River Wild is on-the-edge-of-your-seat fantastic. It’s enjoyable in every aspect, with acting that you don’t see in most movies; this is a cast to applaud and wonder how they all came together in one place. Watch with confidence and with your family; you’re in for a wild ride.
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★