What could have been a standard 80's teen flick, albeit a dark one, is made into something else entirely by one of Crispin Glover's most crazed performances. Let's ignore the plot and just focus on Glover, OK? With almost any other actor doing what Glover does here, you'd have an awful performance; his eyes bulge out of his head as he shreiks and cackles and seems to be channeling RIVER'S EDGE co-star Dennis Hopper (who's own bizarre performance here is easily overwhelmed by Glover's) with his frequent, drawn out uses of the word "man" (pronounced something like "maaaaa-yunnn"). But there is something about Crispin Glover that makes even (especially?) his weirdest performances his best. Compare him here to FRIDAY THE 13th PART 5, where he tones it down... which performance is more memorable? Crispin Glover may be rivalled only by Christopher Walken for the title of weirdest Hollywood actor. Good for him.
If I've ignored the plot of River's Edge, that's because the plot barely held my interest. Without Glover this would have been a mediocre, badly written 80's teen drama with an odd supporting turn by Dennis Hopper. Maybe that's all it is even with Glover. I honestly can't imagine watching the film all the way through again, although I could certainly see scanning through and watching some of Crispin Glover's scenes again. Especially his reaction at the end...
A story of delinquent youths, dysfunctional families, disturbing behaviour and a murder. Staring a very young Keanu Reeves (was released in 1986) and Dennis Hopper. This movie is Dark and Depressing. Loosely based on a true story.
The anti-John Hughes? Tim Hunter superbly directs this chilling "based on fact" story about disenfranchised teenagers in the grungy pre-Grunge Pacific Northwest who are finding themselves - discovering who they are in the face of a heinous crime. Hopper is nuts (of course). This is Keanu's finest hour. And Crispin Glover is a quirky, hilarious, and frightening thrash metal force of nature. Loyalty, indecision, broken homes, hormones, delinquency, heavy metal in Dead-End Nowhere, USA. Madness, morality, and a lifetime's worth of wisdom gained too soon. Suffer the children.
I must admit, seeing Keanu Reeves' pretty boy look on the cover immediately made me want to watch this as much as I've always wanted to see Martha Stewart's naked body. But since this was an '86 movie, and not a '41 ex-con's naked body, I gave it a shot.
And now I must admit, the cover is very deceiving. This movie is definitely worth a look. It probably won't stick with you for that long, but you will not, most likely, be disappointed.
Note that, by "you", I intend to mean "person with a fairly impressive and enjoyable movie taste". If not, feel free to let me know.
So I can feel free to remove you from my list. Either way, we'll all feel free one way or another, so we'll all win.
Back to the movie. Somewhat basic, unpretentious, unsurprising story. But I'm not saying this as a bad thing. Quite the opposite, actually. If properly achieved, this can actually be one of the greatest features a movie can offer. And in River's Edge, this was properly achieved.
Nothing that much good to say about the acting, except that Keanu Reeves turns out to be bearable. And except for Crispin Glover. Great role! It takes a while to get used to the character, but once you surpass that, you're in for a treat.
Apart from that... well, I guess anyone watching this will probably relate to it in some level, because pretty much everyone had an anguished teen inside of them at some point.
Based on the true life murder of a California teen. Great stuff. I especially loved Dennis Hopper and Crispin Glover is a fucking TRIP! I would solely see this based on Glover's performance. He is a great undderated actor and should have his own television show like Gilbert Gotfried did in the 80's!!!
amazing/ridiculous 80's dialogue. crispin glover is so entertaining. dennis hopper is as weird as ever. keanu is, well, keanu. it's a perfect lazy day movie encompassing the 80's generation of latchkey kids and their detatchment from family + friends. i recommend it.
I have seen this movie at least four (4) times. How sick is that? It is truly fascinating and that it is based on a true story keeps me coming back. Dennis Hopper is so very familiar to me in this movie! Ha!
River's Edge is the reason why 30 years from now I'll be afraid of teenagers and why I'm very much afraid to alone with Crispin Glover. Despite some flaws though this is a pretty great film. The story itself is very well handed and there are some really strong performances from Glover, Ione Skye, Daniel Roebuck (Why don't the last two actors get more work?) and a scene stealing performance from Dennis Hopper. The film is well directed and shot and is just simply affective. Could live without Keanu Reeves and I know my best friend Ian is going to kick my ass but I didn't like how much Slayer was on the soundtrack. It works just I'm not a fan. Overall though it's great to see a teen oriented flick from the 80s like River's Edge. Meaning that John Huges most likely had nothing to do with it.
Had to watch this for class. Definitely not worth all the hype. I didn't feel anything for the characters, and the image of the body over and over again wasn't poetic or poignant, it was just annoying.
Good movie even if the message is a bit heavy handed at times. Nice depiction of dead end white trash America. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper deserve medals.
Dennis Hopper gets nun-chucked in the head by 12 year olds, long shots of a naked dead chick getting poked by sticks, and Crispen Glover's hair- all awesome. If you enjoyed his freak out scenes in Willard, you'll love him in this too. Funtastic.
Based on a true story about a group of friends who cover up & protect one of their classmates when he commits murder. A classic movie of teen apathy and parental dysfunction.
I thought that it was a good movie, you really can't beat movies that have been taken from real events, and Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper are standouts in this picture!. . .
This depicts a sense of alienation and moral vacuousness among adolescents that has, unfortunately, only grown in the fifteen years since this film was released. A teen murders his girlfriend, and his circle of friends debates what to do. Some want to hide the body and protect the boy, others want to turn him in. A disturbing study of teens forced with ethical choices who have little, if any, experience or basis for making such choices. A horror story and a tragedy.
Hopper can play a maniac and Glover can play an acid hound. Reeves can't play shit, but River's Edge is one of a kind when it comes to zany characters.
I have seen this movie more times than any person should. I watched it when I was about 10 years old. I would rent it over and over until my mother told me I wasn't allowed renting it anymore so I watched it 5 times in a row before she brought it back. Of course, I now own this movie. It should be watched if for no other reason than the fabulous lines like "Motherfucker!" "Food eater!"
Creepy movie. A teen girl is murdered by her boyfriend. He tells all his weirdo friends about it, and instead of turning him in, some stupid code of honor keeps them silent. Supposedly based on a true story. Features Dennis Hopper with a blow-up doll girlfriend, and Ione Skey and Keanu Reeves as the voices of reason.
Really good story and its based on an actual event. I saw this a long time ago and loved it. I related alot to most of the characters and Keanu shows some of his better acting here than he does in other movies. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it.
Dark '80s "teen" movie, this movie isn't typical of the genre. Gritty drama starring Keanu Reeves, a very freaked-out Crispin Glover, and a very disturbing Dennis Hopper. All of the kids are basically delinquents and pessimistic about life. Sort of an anti-Bueller (I guess it came out around the same time).
One of the movies Keanu used to shake the "Bill & Ted" matra off him. Just your typical teen-angst ridden film based on a true story that wasn't as interesting.
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