THE RIVER WILD
US, 1994, 111 minutes, Colour.
Meryl Streep, Joseph Mazzello, Stephanie Sawyer, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, Kevin Bacon, Benjamin Bratt.
Directed by Curtis Hanson.
The River Wild offers a different Meryl Streep. This is an action show, a family trapped by criminals, but not in a house, rather on a spectacular river with white water challenge and danger. The end is not unsurprising but audiences can enjoy the downriver action, the family coping and Meryl winning out – she does most of the rowing and paddling herself (effects and stunt doubles so effective that you think it is all Meryl Streep herself). Kevin Bacon makes a menacing villain, David Strathairn is convincing as the bookish father and Joseph Mazzello (Shadowlands) a credible son.
This is old-fashioned action and suspense in magnificent settings. It was directed by Currtis Hanson who had made an impact with Bad Influence and The Hand That Rocked the Cradle and was to go on to greater success with LA Confidential, Wonder Boys and Eight Mile.
1. An enjoyable action adventure? The traditions of this kind of action, danger, threatened family, criminal pursuit?
2. The locations, the river itself, the rapids? The mountains? The action sequences?
3. The title, the theme, the outdoors, the wilderness, both friendly and menacing?
4. The portrait of the family, the background to the trip, Gail and her work, bringing up their children? The husband, his pressure of work, architecture? The crisis of the marriage? The attempt to heal the differences? The decision to go on the journey? A birthday present? A time for being alone?
5. The preparation for the expedition, Gail and Tom, Tom and his backing out, his work? Going to Colorado, Gail and Roarke going to Gail’s mother, her father (and his deafness)? The preparation for the trip, the detail, the raft, provisions? Tom finally being able to join them?
6. The beginning of the trip, the exhilarating experience? The meeting with the men? The men joining them, the smooth talk, especially from Wade? His leadership?
7. Frank, their guide, his disappearance? Suspicion? Wade and his special relationship with Roarke, helping him, showing up his father? His relationship with Gail, her background as a river guide? The navigation of the river?
8. Tom and Gail and their growing suspicions, wariness about Roarke, listening to Wade and his stories? The attempt to avoid the men and get away? The men and their persistence?
9. Wade and Terry, their background, the robbery? Violence? Their getting rid of Frank? Their taking the family hostage, making Gail guide them down the river?
10. The dangers of the river, it becoming unfriendly, the rapids? Tom’s escape, the dog, his following the raft along the clifftop? Preparing the ambush to save his wife and Roarke?
11. Wade and his confrontation with Tom, his thinking that he had killed him?
12. The ranger, his friendliness, his giving information, his earnestness and trying to help the family? Wade killing him?
13. The danger of the rapids, the adventure, Gail and her skills, Roarke and his support? Tom and the attack?
14. The final fight, the confrontation between Tom and Wade, Gail and her shooting Wade, Terry and his arrest?
15. The happy ending, the effect on the group as a family, on Gail and Tom and their marriage, sharing dangers, the threat to their son, reconciliation and hope for the future?
