jla@usl.UUCP (Joseph L Arceneaux) (01/17/85)
I went to see "The River" last evening, and I reccomend it. Obviously many
parallels will be drawn between it and "Country" (Maybe also "Places In the
Heart" --I haven't seen that one yet). I myself would say that "Country" was
more realistic, while "The River" was more pleasurable. Friends found some
scenes implausible but I did not have this problem (possibly with one scene--
the one with the bull).
The photography is outstanding (maybe the best this year, but I'm speaking too
soon after seeing it) and the acting is wonderful, especially Mel Gibson. As
for Mark Rydell's part (the director), I would say he contributes much more to
this film that he did to "On Golden Pond" which benefitted more, I'd say, from
the cast and the script than from him.
It's nice to see some films about these rather un-sung heroes, the farmers of
America.
--
Joseph Arceneaux
USL Computer Science Department
{akgua, ut-sally}!usl!jla
<all-purpose, generic disclaimer fits here>