River's Edge

This is an older movie and one of the first ones Keanu Reeves starred in. I don't know how this one has passed by me all of these years because this movie is a true gem. It is loosely based on a true event where a boy killed his girlfriend, shows no emotion or remorse, and even takes his friends to see the body. He isn't proud of what he's done - he's just completely ambivalent. Unfortunately, so are his friends when they see the body of their murdered friend. They are so numb and detached from reality the magnitude of what has happened doesn't touch them. Some of his friends, brilliantly played by Crispin Glover, try to come up with a way to "save" their friend from being caught. His friend doesn't really care about being saved, though, and none of the other kids really ever get on board. The dynamic between the teenage kids and their parents is truly sad and apathetic. Keanu Reeves' character has a sweet, close bond with his little sister and a very contentious relationship with his younger brother who is a truly frightening character. Dennis Hopper plays an eccentric recluse whom the kids use to get drugs from. He ends up playing a pivotal role in the movie and I think is the only character that truly realizes how dangerous the boy who killed his girlfriend is. The acting is superior, the plot is based on true events and the story is very well told. When the movie ended I had kind of a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's not often a movie moves me the way this one did. It is definitely worth watching - at least once. I'm happy to have it as part of my movie collection. It's a well made film and a well told story.

Love this movie and the characters are wild.

The moral anchor.I've loved this movie since 88. Crispin Glover flawlessly Methyl Merman.

My rating is more of a 3.5.Thanks for reading in advanceRiver's Edge is a 1986 American crime drama film directed by Tim Hunter, written by Neal Jimenez, and starring Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye Leitch, Daniel Roebuck, and Dennis Hopper. It follows a group of teenagers in a Northern California town who are forced to deal with their friend's murder of his girlfriend Jamie, played by Danyi Deats, and the subsequent disposal of her body. Screenwriter Jimenez partially based the film's script on the 1981 murder of Marcy Renee Conrad in Milpitas, California.To fully understand and appreciate the gravity of this movie it's important to elaborate on the relationship it has with the murder that inspired it. Firstly, much of what is known about that case has been attributed to a reporter by the name of Glenn Bunting;not only did he provide an extensive amount of coverage for this story, but he made a genuine effort in getting familiar with teenagers that were most immersed in what was quintessentially a well-oiled rumor mill. Because of this, it only makes sense to write a story from the point of view of people that are possibly the most and least reliable source of information in this context. In addition, this also explains why some scenes - like those in which students “interact” with the dead body - seem perversely contrived and almost unbelievable; but heck, as many of us know, sometimes truth is even stranger than fiction….People that are a fan of ‘Heathers’ will find the experience of watching this film to be surprisingly transcendental . Unlike other dramas involving teenagers and high profile criminality, ‘River’s Edge’ makes its audience members presume the identity of an all seeing and otherwise omniscient presence; As the story develops viewers will feel as if they are always privy to information they otherwise have no business knowing as many of the scenes featured seem exclusively significant in elaborating on the effect of this murder on a variety of characters in a limited period of time. In contrast, and perhaps even a result of this, this creates a pace that is considerably “choppy” and makes the audience wonder: Am I really getting the /whole/ story here? Perhaps we are. And yet, despite the most valiant of efforts, perhaps we are not.While I’m certainly not in the place to point fingers or frivolously offer up ways in which the storytelling elements of ‘River’s Edge’ could be improved, I will say that one key ingredient was missing here: Heavy handed ambiguity. Many of the characters seem pretty established in their opinion of the situation from the very moment they receive news about Jamie’s murder, and not much is done to explore the way in which these feelings can change as a result of being forced to marinate in them whilst simultaneously simply trying to maintain a daily routine. Characters that seem invested in helping John literally get away with murder offer up vapid motivations for their own actions and hardly ever do they bring up concrete or profound reasons as to why other people should feel compelled to do so. This same line of thinking also acknowledges that people protesting efforts to get John out of trouble have no overtly sincere or realistic reasons for doing so (Like, I don’t know, genuine fear that someone like John could retaliate against them….JUST SAYING) and this makes Jamie’s death feel more like a backdrop and less like a force of nature.P.S. I would just like to thank Crispin Glover for successfully giving me the creeps.To watch this film is to pay respect to an event that brought a community of individuals already struggling with the hardships of approaching adulthood to its knees; my advice, however, would be to actively participate as a neutral observer and ask yourself intermittently: Well, if I was (Identified character), what the heck would I do now?I would recommend!

What can you say about a flick where the moral center is a reclusive one-legged biker with a sex doll named Ellie played by Dennis Hopper? Seriously. The teens here are soulless probably desensitized through parental neglect and a steady diet of beer, pot, video games, and death metal represented on the soundtrack by Slayer. An adolescent represented by Joshua Miller's Tim isn't much better, a cruel spiteful kid prone to violence. Redemption is offered somewhat by Matt played by Keanu Reeves whose ethical quandary provokes him to break the code of silence among his peers. The film also ends somewhat on an ambiguously hopeful note that doesn't dilute the cautionary tale that has just unfolded. Provocative and relevant even thirty years on when you account for the dissolution of the family unit and the rise of the Internet. Lone blemish is an affected turn by Crispin Glover as Lane the group spokesman. Glover is probably ten years too old for the part. Scenes with Hopper don't even deliver the expected spark.

A difficult movie to watch, this film is even more difficult to rate. The cast of familiar stars is impressive, with each member providing quite a good performance in their own way. Crispen Glover in particular delivers a character that is unique and interesting, completely surreal, and oddly depraved. Keanu Reeves keeps his performance steady and targeted here compared to other performances that he gave us during the era this was filmed. Ione Skye plays it safe as a character much less mature than what we a used to. And, it's got freakin' Dennis Hopper.The plot and the style manage to survive underneath the weight of the talent, but just barely. It's kind of a Heathers meets Blue Velvet. The setting is grungy and cold and grey. I felt frustrated waiting for some sort of redemption, as the characters react to each other and their situation so unconventionally. Overall, this movie is oddly refreshing and interesting. And, it's got freakin' Dennis Hopper.