The River (1984)

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(6,090 ratings)

This socially conscious family farm drama from director Mark Rydell was his follow up to the Oscar-winning On Golden Pond (1981). Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek star as Tom and Mae Garvey, struggling Tennessee farmers constantly one step away from foreclosing. Their farm sits next to a river that both… More This socially conscious family farm drama from director Mark Rydell was his follow up to the Oscar-winning On Golden Pond (1981). Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek star as Tom and Mae Garvey, struggling Tennessee farmers constantly one step away from foreclosing. Their farm sits next to a river that both nourishes their land and constantly threatens to overflow its banks and destroy their crops. The Garveys sell some of their equipment for obscenely low prices at a foreclosure auction, at which some of their neighbors are forced to give up everything they own. The stoic Tom takes a job as a scab at a mill where the union workers are striking. Meanwhile, Mae has a platonic flirtation with local bank manager Joe (Scott Glenn), who saves her life when she's trapped under a heavy piece of farm equipment. Tom's homecoming is cut short by a flood, but the raging waters allow him to become a hero to his family again. The River was the third in a trio of dramas depicting the plight of the American family farmer released that same year. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Mark Rydell
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 17, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Feb 23, 1999
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek, The River is one of three films dealing with the plight of American farmers which came out in the same year, 1984.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassie H

A movie that shows you not to judge Sissy Spacek by her performance in Carrie.
jay n

Sissy is good as always, Mel over earnest.
Dean M

Just a good emotionally-charged film celebrates the triumph of a young rural couple as they face nature's greatest ravages, the threat of poverty and a wrenching separation.

Cast

            Mel Gibson as Tom Garvey

            Sissy Spacek as Mae Garvey

            Shane Bailey as Lewis Garvey

            Becky Jo Lynch as Beth Garvey

            Scott Glenn as John Wade

            Don Hood as Sen. Neiswinder

            James Tolkan as Howard Simpson

            Bob W. Douglas as Hal Richardson

            Jim Antonio as Dan Guamer

            Billy Green Bush as Harvey Stanley

            Larry D. Farrell as Rod Tessley

            Gary Gershaw as Drifter

            Ivan Green as Smoot

            Amy Rydell as Betty Gaumer

            Lisa Sloan as Judy Birkin

            Kelly Toomey as Lisa Tessley

            Susie Toomey as Sally Tessley

            David Hart as Harley

            Barry Primus as Roy

            Jack Starrett as Swick

            Dean Whitworth as Doctor

            Andy Stahl as Dave Birkin

            Frank Hoyt Taylor as Zemke

            Elizabeth Lane as Secretary

            Charlie Robinson as Truck
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