The River Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A farming couple fights against weather, banks, and the ex-boyfriend who wants to flood their land, but mostly they just get really, really wet.

🍿 The River: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Struggling to Survive

Tom and Mae Garvey are a farming couple in Tennessee facing immense hardship. Their farm, passed down through generations, is threatened by constant flooding. Economic downturns and manipulative local businessman Joe Wade add to their struggles.

A Deal with the Devil?

Joe Wade, who harbors past feelings for Mae, seeks to buy up the riverfront properties to build a dam. His actions would flood the Garvey’s land, jeopardizing their livelihood. Tom’s determination to stay on his ancestral land clashes with the overwhelming odds.

Desperate Measures

As financial pressures mount, Tom is forced to take work as a scab at an iron mill. Back home, Mae faces a harrowing accident while struggling to keep the farm afloat. Their resilience is tested at every turn, highlighting the precariousness of their existence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Garvey (Mel Gibson): A determined farmer who struggles against natural disasters and corporate greed to keep his family’s land.
• Mae Garvey (Sissy Spacek): Tom’s resilient wife who supports him through hardship and faces her own trials to preserve their farm.
• Joe Wade (Scott Glenn): A powerful and manipulative businessman who seeks to acquire the Garvey’s land for a dam project.
• Lewis Garvey (Shane Bailey): The Garveys’ son who helps with the farm work and experiences the family’s struggles firsthand.
• Beth Garvey (Becky Jo Lynch): The Garveys’ daughter who contributes to the family’s efforts to maintain their way of life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe Wade: “Sooner or later there’s gonna be too much rain, or too much drought, or too much corn… I can wait.” – Joe Wade expresses his confidence that the Garveys will eventually be forced to sell due to the ongoing hardships of farming.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,489,982
• Worldwide Gross: $11,489,982

💥 The River Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘The River’ hoping for an epic tale of resilience, and while it had its moments, it mostly left me feeling…damp. Sissy Spacek and Mel Gibson give it their all, and there are some scenes that genuinely tug at the heartstrings, like when Mae’s arm gets stuck. But the constant rain and endless struggles just got exhausting. By the end, I was just hoping someone would invent some waterproof overalls and a good therapist for everyone involved. I just didn’t love it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek”
  • “Viewers interested in dramas about rural life and economic hardship”
  • “Those who appreciate films with strong themes of family and perseverance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scenes of flooding and property damage”
  • “Depictions of economic hardship and stress”
  • “A scene involving a graphic farm accident”
  • “Brief violence related to striking workers”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While boasting strong performances from Gibson and Spacek, ‘The River’ is ultimately weighed down by a predictable plot and melodramatic moments. The beautiful cinematography can’t save it from feeling like a run-of-the-mill family drama.
• Variety: “A visually stunning but emotionally uneven film, ‘The River’ showcases the beauty of rural America alongside the hardships of farm life. The performances are commendable, but the narrative lacks depth.

Audience Reactions

The stunning cinematography really captured the beauty and harshness of rural life.: Viewers consistently praised the visuals and the authentic portrayal of farming struggles.

Overall Consensus: While beautifully shot and featuring strong performances, ‘The River’ ultimately falls short due to its predictable plot and melodramatic tendencies.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Special Achievement in Sound Effects Editing)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on location in the east Tennessee area to capture the authentic look and feel of a struggling farming community.”
• “Director Mark Rydell aimed to portray a vanishing America, focusing on the importance of family, tradition, and community in rural life.”
• “Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography was praised for its stunning visuals, capturing the beauty and harshness of the natural landscape.”

🖥️ How to Watch The River?

Currently, “The River” is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability, as streaming options can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The River, you might like these similar films:

• Country (1984): Another film released in the same year focusing on the struggles of a farm family facing economic hardship.
• Places in the Heart (1984): A drama about a widow in Depression-era Texas who struggles to save her farm with the help of an unlikely group of companions.
• Norma Rae (1979): Shares themes of working-class struggle and fighting against powerful interests, though set in a textile mill rather than a farm.

🛒 The River Related Products

• The River (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Remastered]: Experience John Williams’ haunting and beautiful score to ‘The River’. This remastered soundtrack captures the emotional core of the film.
• Mel Gibson Movie Poster Collection: A curated set of posters featuring Mel Gibson’s most iconic roles, including ‘The River’. A great addition to any movie buff’s collection.
• Farm Animal Figurines Set: A detailed set of farm animal figurines, bringing the rural world of ‘The River’ to life. Features cows, pigs, chickens, and more, crafted with realistic detail.
• Dodge D-Series Pickup Truck 1/24 Scale Diecast Model: Replicating the u.s. car often shown on screen, this detailed model of the classic Dodge D-Series pickup truck is perfect for collectors and fans alike. Features realistic details and a high-quality finish.

🎧 Soundtrack

The River features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Fireman” – performed by George Strait
• “The River (Original Motion Picture Score)” – performed by John Williams

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A day at the river. #TheZoneOfInterest

Want a quick visual taste of ‘The Zone of Interest’ without spoilers? This short clip perfectly captures the film’s eerie juxtaposition of domesticity and horror.

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