River (I) (2015) User Reviews

A lean thriller with exotic flavour

[Red-Barracuda · 7/10 · 26 June 2016]

A North American doctor working in Laos accidentally kills an Australian man who has just raped a local woman. He then flees the authorities, while the situation is made worse for him by the revelation that the man he killed is a senator's son.

This independent Canadian/Laos co-production is a chase thriller that stars Donald Sutherland's son Rossif Sutherland. He is in every scene and is pretty good in it, conveying the worrying scenario his character finds himself in convincingly. The story itself is quite spare with no wastage whatsoever. It moves at a very good pace, which I suppose you would expect from a chase film and it does build up some decent suspense at times. What takes it up to another level though is the setting. Not too many films are set in Laos and the exotic locales make for a very pleasing backdrop to events. Aside from this there is perhaps nothing particularly out of the ordinary in this one but it still works very well and is overall a well-executed, lean thriller.

Maintains Decent Suspense But Plot Elements Can Be Illogical

[larrys3 · 5/10 · 10 August 2016]

Set mostly in Laos, this movie maintains a decent amount of tension and suspense, but some of its plot elements really defy logic. Don't expect any character development here, as the film is nearly exclusively an "on the lam" type flick.

Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald) stars as Dr. John Lake, who's working at a NGO clinic in Vientiane, Laos. After disobeying the orders of the chief physician (Sara Botsford) in the operating room (containing some very graphic and bloody scenes), he's asked to take some time off to clear his mind.

Traveling to southern Laos, John ends up in a physical altercation with an Australian man, (the son of an Australian Senator), whereby the Australian man is killed. While being questioned by the Laotian police, John panics and flees,and the remainder of the movie will focus on his attempts to escape capture, all leading to an ending that, in my opinion, really stretched credibility.

All in all, this movie, written and directed by first time Canadian filmmaker Jamie M. Dagg, maintained enough suspense to keep me interested to the end, as I wondered how it would all turn out. However, as mentioned there is no character development and some of the plot machinations were just too nonsensical for me to swallow.

Dark Tale of one man's long journey – set in Laos

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 7/10 · 31 October 2016]

John Lake (Rossif Sutherland) is a doctor working for an NGO in Laos when he gets told to take some time off after a bit of 'stress' in the work place. So he heads to a peaceful part of the country for some 'r and r'. Then he sees a sexual assault taking place between a tourist and a local girl. He intervenes – and it does not take very long for things to go very bad, very quickly.

Now that is the synopsis and to say anymore would be a bit of a plot spoiler, however this is a thriller so you know that there is going to be a lot more to this than just the above. And it manages the thriller part really well; the acting is all very good too as is the direction.

This is one of those films that goes for down to earth realism rather than sensationalism and that helps it achieve the necessary level of authenticity that means that I, for one, was able to empathise with the characters and engage more deeply. This is one of those films that seem to have slipped by unnoticed, which is a pity as this is one that is very much worth checking out.

Intens but fairly straightforward.

[peterp-450-298716 · 6/10 · 1 October 2016]

"Your face. What happened? I was very drunk last night. I was riding a bicycle, and I fell."

Can you imagine this. One moment you're standing in an operating room amputating someones leg with a saw. The other moment you're running like a madman through Laos trying to outrun the authorities. This happens to John Lake (Rossif Sutherland), a hard-working doctor, who's sent on a well-deserved holiday after a discussion with the head doctor. At his destination (It surely isn't a five star all-inclusive resort) he's having a few drinks one evening, accompanied by an over friendly bartender. On his way to his humble hut he witnesses an assault on a local girl by a drunken, noisy Australian. And in a split second he makes the wrong decision. Before he knows it, he is a fugitive who's wanted for murdering the son of an Australian Senator and raping a native girl.

The result is an intense manhunt for the guilty western doctor by the local police. And he's guilty. That's a fact. The only thing John has in mind, is not to go on trial in Laos itself. "River" is a film in which desperation, fear and guilt are palpable presence. John, sweaty, bloodied and bruised, is constantly on the run. A boat ride with a local resident. A lift from a couple dodgy looking men. A bus trip which happens to be controlled by a police patrol. It doesn't matter in what way he travels, as long as he stays out of the hands of the authorities and manages to reach a US Embassy. He even has to make a certain decision in the end, that goes against his moral principles. The result of this nerve-racking race, is that the film never pauses for a moment. The pace is blistering (probably appropriate for the climate there) fast and exhilarating.

Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald and brother of Keifer Sutherland) acts convincingly. You can see the desperation and fear on his face. A chaotic flight where he relies entirely on his survival instinct. The intensity is unbearable and because of the sultry environment it's as if you can smell John's pungent body odor in your living room. Although the story is fairly straightforward and obvious, the ending is still surprising. Let me put it this way. It has a high "Oh come on" content. A bit against the flow compared to the rest of the movie. I guess the sense for justice presented itself to John suddenly. It's probably a personal trait. John can't resist to do good for others over and over again.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Enjoyable

[carlgarethnorton · 7/10 · 25 September 2020]

I enjoyed this film, I think the panic and suspense was heightened throughout and I generally thought It was well acted out, I didn't know who the lead was until I looked him up after the film so my review has no bias, a good film. Not quite the fugative but elements are definitely inspired by it.

Spoiler Alert for a Great Movie

[drhall-672-138129 · 7/10 · 24 June 2016]

The plot is about as real Oriental tense, moral, misunderstanding, desperation, chase scene as I have seen. Sutherland's character, John, is caught in dilemma after attempting to solver another related dilemma in the rescuing of a victim at the hands of an Aussie Gov. son rape victim. The victim wakes up? and mistakenly identifies John as the rapist or politicians son murderer, not perfectly sure as it wasn't quite clear until the movie end. WHICH brings me to the seven star versus Ten Star rating,

SPOILER ALERT ... READ NO FURTHER

the ending is just conjecture and after all the gut wrenching, nerve wracked, suspenseful drama deserved to have a few typed lines on the screen regarding his turning away from a lucky change of fate resulting in certain transport back to the safety of the U.

But no, John, in order to AGAIN rescue, via testimony, the rape victim who is now pegged as the politician sons murderer jumps bail and buys a ticket back to Laos!

We are left to assume the worst for John as the language barrier, chain of events foretell gloom and doom, not at all a happy ending nor is the ending fully fleshed out by any means. Viewer opinion only ... Great Great Movie ... Bad not Terrible Ending. Seven Stars... for full on acting by Sutherland.

Decent thriller

[minh_le · 7/10 · 22 November 2016]

I found this movie fairly enjoyable as I went into it with fairly low expectations from what I read on IMDb. The movie does a pretty good job of building suspense through a series of unfortunate events that seem plausible. I found the main actor to be pretty decent and likable, which is important because he's in 90% of the movie. The supporting characters aren't given much film time but that's OK given the nature of the film.

A big bonus of the film for me was getting to see the exotic locations of Laos. I like films that can take me to another part of the world and immerse me in the culture of that area. This movie did a great job of that as it really made me feel like a foreigner.

The ending is a bit anti-climatic but for the most part, the movie kept me interested up until the end.

Nice scenery

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 6 March 2022]

I wanted to like this one but didn't get much from it. It's essentially a 'wronged man' thriller in which a guy holidaying in Laos sees something he shouldn't and ends up accused of a crime he didn't commit. Essentially an arthouse drama that typically consists of a couple of actors conversing and not much else besides. No sense of empathy with the lead or suspense generated from the premise. The Laos scenery is nice but that's about it.

TONS OF SUSPENSE.

[andrewchristianjr · 7/10 · 27 April 2021]

Good movie, and tons of suspense! Edge of your seat movie, but the ending could've been better. The kind of story I like focusing on getting the audience into figuring out and putting themselves in the shoes of the actor rather then an overuse of dialog and backstory mixed with hollywood situations.

Well Acted Poorly Written

[borellibooks · 2/10 · 9 September 2017]

This was a well acted but not a well written film. The piece was beautifully filmed. Nothing in the situation is plausible. The Doctor's involvement with strangers in a foreign country is very unrealistic. His intrusive behavior that gets him into a huge amount of trouble is too convenient. His flight from authority could never happen. The unrealistic way he finally got out of trouble and the very poor ending leaves you wanting more. A huge loose end because his actions will get him back into trouble in a huge way.

This film had promise but ultimately poor writing and story could not overcome the good acting, beautiful cinematography and exotic locations. I wonder how such films attract financing, production and distribution.

A Canadian director directing a Laotian film?

[horitaj · 8/10 · 20 November 2016]

"River" is a Laotian film about John Lake, an American doctor working in Laos, who intervenes in the sexual assault of a young woman by an Australian tourist. His efforts of intervening lead to him killing the Australian tourist, being mistakenly accused of sexually assaulting the woman, and having him being a wanted fugitive. The film is directed by first time Canadian director Jamie M. Dagg, who does one hell of a job with this film.

The film takes its time to develop the character of John and then throws him in this crazy situation that he mistakenly got himself into. I felt so empathetic towards John because he wanted to do the right thing, and by doing so he accidentally kills a guy and is falsely accused of assaulting a woman. The story is very simple and has been done in many other films before but what makes "River" standout is its realism and Rossif Sutherland's performance as John. Sutherland brings so much energy to this role and does an excellent job being a frantic, scared, and innocent person.

As the film continues and John is on the run you later find out who the Australian tourist is related to which adds a new level of extremity to the situation. There's not a lot to say about the film story wise, you have a man on the run and doing what he can to not get arrested for false causes. The performances are great, the direction is great, and the cinematography is overall very well.

A couple issues I had with the film is that during some scenes when John is being chased or running the camera is very shaky. And at the last ten or so minutes of the film something is revealed about the situation John's in which causes our character to make an action that didn't sit too well with me.

Overall "River" is a wonderful directorial debut for Jamie Dagg, which displays great performances from Rossif Sutherland, and all of the cast as well. I'm looking forward to what this talented young man will do next.

A really good film. Under-rated

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 30 July 2020]

A gripping story with excellent cast and filming. Much better than the current IMDb score of 6.3 would suggest imo.

Makes me glad I live in the west and not subject to the " judicial systems" in the far east. Whilst the ending is rather abrupt I recommend this film

needs better setup

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 10 October 2021]

American volunteer doctor John Lake (Rossif Sutherland) works with Dr. Stephanie Novella (Sara Botsford) in a rural Laos medical clinic. He's on a holiday in the south when he comes upon a Australian tourist assaulting an unconscious local woman. He's drunk and things spiral out of control.

This needs a bit more setup on why he would be so afraid of the local police. He's running right from the start and that needs some explaining. I'm willing to buy it to some extent but it would help to give him more reasons to run. He's overdoing the jitteriness. He's running without a plan. He's running without a reason sometimes. He's not running from the American government which was my greatest hope for an explanation. Even if he gets back to the US, he'll be extradited back to Laos or Australia under the political pressure. I don't think he's doing rational things unless the movie explains itself better. I do like the exotic locations and I also like the redemptive ending although it's a little too late.

Bangkok Train Station

[patrickarbuckle · 29 June 2018]

In response to correct other reviews, in the train station you are likely to see many Thai Buddhist monks as the train is an economical way to travel. They are not Tibetan Monks as one review stated and he spends most the movie trying to get away from the Laos police, not Thai.

6/10 for the suspense.... BUT....

[coflorida · 6/10 · 16 July 2020]

This was one of the biggest WTF flicks... I've seen in a long time..

The guy comes over to the table and says to one of the guys.... don't you think she's had enough? ***my mouth dropped*** He doesn't know this chick from adams... and yet "HE" felt the need to bring his input. Did he really think.... this is the first time those girls have been in bars getting guys to buy think drinks... and drinking like fish?

He stumbles upon the path... seeing the one guy getting dressed and the chick passed out with panties down... Felt the need to play hero... ends up killing the senator's son... Now he's a wanted man...

He goes to the embassy seeking help. Retelling his story. There were two girls having drinks with some Australians They were getting really drunk This one girl couldn't have been more than 90 lbs... THAT'S HIS DEFENSE STORY?!!

It was NONE OF HIS BUSINESS...

Those Australians was a lot nicer than guys in the states.... if he tried that in a bar.... he'd be picking his teeth off the floor..

Wish I could give 7 stars but....

[verisww · 6/10 · 21 January 2019]

I wish I could give 7 stars just for the performance, editing, camera work and location....but the end is too ridiculous. Very disappointing. It is as if the writer knew the plot was too obvious and just had to throw in a monkey wrench. It is still good but don't expect, "Fugitive" and you will be good.

A Mess Without Direction trying to Force Suspense

[in1984 · 2/10 · 13 August 2016]

2.3 of 10. Nothing like a river in its style. Though the title and the story do eventually connect, that's about the only connection you feel from this. The thrills/suspense all feel artificial, forced without anything to be of a concern. The running looks more like jogging.

Maybe the lead actor's connection to a Hollywood star is what gets this some free publicity, but it's not the story or his acting. This would be better setup as a tragic comedy about a naive American in a foreign country, but nobody involved seems to recognize it and you end up with a film taking its actors far too seriously.

I wouldn't recommend this on any level. It tries to provide some meaningful commentary on international problems, but even that feels concocted within this film.

Awesome thriller

[RussHog · 8/10 · 1 October 2016]

This is a super effective film. It is about a man who is accused of a crime in a foreign country - and his journey to avoid capture.

Everywhere the main character goes he runs into danger that he could be caught - and the film is so well paced that it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Really the film is about running from responsibility - yet at the same time - there is a murky line between guilt and innocence.

It is somewhat similar to the film Midnight Cowboy - not quite as masterfully artistic - but defiantly worth the watch.

There is a final reversal in the end of the film that is quite harrowing - and it made me really think about justice and responsibility - and heroism.

Solid flick!

One ticket to Lao......

[FlashCallahan · 8/10 · 1 June 2016]

An American volunteer doctor becomes a fugitive in the south of Laos after he intervenes in the sexual assault of a young woman, after advising the assailant that the young woman had already had enough to drink.

When the assailant's body is pulled from the Mekong River, things quickly spiral out of control, when it is discovered that he was an Austrailian senators son.....

The film could be a subliminal warning for a lot of things. Travelling alone, getting drunk alone in a strange place, intervening in what isn't your business, even though what you are doing is admirable.

It just seems that I spent the duration of the film cursing the main character, John for making some really silly, irrational decisions.

But this isn't a criticism of the film, it was more like me thinking to myself 'Oh well done in doing that/leaving there/lying to them, now i'm going to be on the edge of my seat again for the next ten minutes'.

Because the film doesn't really give you any information on John, other that he is a Surgeon, and a bit of a maverick one at that, it really does put you into his situation.

Would you really put your hands up straightaway and admit what you have done, even though you know it was the right thing to do, because of the language barrier, the intensity of everyone due to the events of the narrative, and having that limited knowledge of the justice system, and how execution is rife, regardless of what the circumstances surrounding the event may have? It's a tense 85 minutes, Sutherland may have the acting gusto yet of that of his father, or step-brother, because by the beginning of the second act, he's a nervous wreck, and you really feel for the guy as he wanders aimlessly from place to place, becoming more and more desperate, as time is inevitably running out for him.

There are two jaw dropping scenes that nearly made turn away from the film.

He asks a man for a ride on his boat, and due to the language barrier, there is a little bit of confusion at precisely the wrong time, and the silliest thing he does of all, get into a car in the middle of nowhere, very late at night.

It's sometimes an ordeal to get through, but it stays on the right side of tense, and doesn't quite push you over that proverbial seat edge.

The final ten minutes goes a little off track, huge plot holes are explained in a 'don't worry about it' sort of way, and the final scene in the train station really did make me chuckle, as ninety percent of the background extras appeared to be Tibetan monk, which I deciphered as the writer subtly saying to the audience 'he's doing the right thing, it's a karma thing'.

But other than that, it's a really tense film, with some very unsettling locations, and thank heavens it was made as an independent movie, because this could have easily have been made with Matt Damon, and turned into a Bourne like thriller.

Because that would have taken any sense of urgency or realism away from it.

Suprisingly good!

[jeremyhaydon · 8/10 · 6 August 2020]

Despite a lot of shaky camera work, the moral of the story is: Miscarriage of justice, if you are 'well connected', the powers that be will always win! Give it a watch!

Constant anxiety

[chrang-50015 · 10/10 · 23 April 2020]

This movie is about a westerner who serve as a doctor in Laos. After accidentaly killing an Australian tourist while trying to protect a local girl he's getting into deep trouble. The viewer is following the protagonist in his struggle to escape from Laos evading the police forces. In that motive you get a very solid thriller that's going to keep you in a constant anxiety, while the main character is going through serious hardship. He's going to be on the edge throughout the whole movie and you're going to be so too. Give it a shot, it's worth it.

Dark Realism

[radiantpalms · 8/10 · 20 August 2023]

Rossif Sutherland plays John Lake, a hyper-deptermined do-gooder with boundary issues. This is a gritty, fast paced film which totally focuses on one desperate man running for his life & liberty.

The use of hand-held cameras through-out provides that up close and personal pespective that kept me watching, although I did not really like the character. But I wanted to see how things unfolded for him.

He's asked to take time off from grueling surgery in a gritty clinic, in what feels like a slum due to not following the Chief Surgeon's directives. Even his room is spare & dingy. He is then shown taking a sweaty, long, dust filled trip to an island retreat with very basic amenities.

He is super stresed out, trying to relax in a bare-bones hut, by reading in a hammock or drinking in the local bar.

There are 2 Australian men who he is clearly bothered by as they ply 2 local women with alcohol.

As he walks back to his hut, drunk & stumbling he comes upon a disturbing scene with one of the Aussies, and much of his supressed anger surfaces and things go awry.

He passes out in his room, and in the morning realises he has lost his wallet. Now he is in complete panic mode and begins to run. The police are looking for a suspect and he knows he won't get a fair trial.

The use of the name River for this movie is intriging, as it is always a calm river despite the main character being totally out of control.

His environment is grueling, there is always something to be overcome with great physical effort. His emotions are intense from the beginning, while his personal sense of humility jars with his irrational behavior. I find myself asking how it is that he ended up in Laos with such fragmented intensity. It's as if he has PTSD. This is the one missing peice for me.

The scenery in Thailand is lush and methodical vs the chaos & poverty of Laos. Even the busy traffic is contained and orderly. The prison looks like a peaceful spa. Finally there is a rhythym of harmony. We see him at a distance washing his clothes, vs the up close, shaky, dusty, shoots of the entire film up until the last 15 minutes.

Finally we arrive at the airport scene where he is surrounded by monks in orange robes. We finally see him at peace with himself and his ultimate sacrifice to achieve good, in a world gone mad. I sense that he finally made peace with himself. He just needed to save someone & finally he found the missing piece to his personal puzzle.

Too many punches

[wewentzel · 8/10 · 21 March 2019]

A major flaw in the film was "too many drunken punches." In his self-defense of his opponent, one unintended fatal punch would have gained the protagonist more viewer sympathy.