The River (1984)
-
51% of users liked it
(6,170 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
- Directed By
- Mark Rydell
- Genres
- Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Dec 17, 1984 Wide
- 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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
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
