THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410070082
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRENT A. BOWLES, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT to imagine a character actress like Meryl Streep in a tough, brawny action flick, but then along comes ``The River Wild,'' a white-knuckle, hold-your-breath, edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Streep, an Academy-Award winner in 1982 for ``Sophie's Choice,'' is surprisingly low-key as Gail, a former river guide who is forced by circumstance to leave an idyllic vacation for a white-water adventure that turns her family upside-down. Her presence is commanding, never letting her femininity escape the picture, but turning hard-as-nails when the heat is on. For those who think Streep is succumbing to the standardized feminine action roles like Sigourney Weaver did in the ``Alien'' series, think again. At times Streep is visibly uncomfortable with the dramatics, but she has no problem competing with the men on screen.
Another surprise is Kevin Bacon, usually the good guy or a character supporter. Here he's Wade, the bad guy. He and his outlaw partner use Streep and her family to get downriver away from the law. Bacon's restraint makes this otherwise molded character a real menace.
Third in this great cast is David Strathairn, a highly underrated actor who is wonderful as Tom, Gail's husband, a character that starts out as a wimp but gains incredible strength as the film progresses. It seems their marriage is on the verge of extinction, and this vacation is the ``bonding experience'' she hopes will bring back some stability. We watch them grow back together, and along with their son Rourke, played Joseph Mazzello of ``Jurassic Park.''
The story can't bear close scrutiny, as is usually the case with action movies. But these characters are so strong that it's simple to overlook the plot holes. Director Curtis Hanson (``The Hand That Rocks the Cradle'') avoids cheap thrills and hokey violence in favor of real shocks and action. He knows that the river provides all the suspense this movie needs, and doesn't overblow any action.
The air of this picture is remarkably subdued, and just like Bacon's performance, makes the thrills genuine. There is also little language or graphic violence, which proves that it's not necessary in a good action picture.
Filmed on three rivers in two Midwestern states, ``The River Wild'' looks as great as anything currently on screen. The beautiful scenery is sumptuously photographed by Robert Elswit, and his textured images give the river a more majestic than terrifying feel. He lets you see the power and not the threat, especially during the climactic race down The Gauntlet, a treacherous stretch of water that has been restricted from passage.
Adding to the majestic quality is Jerry Goldsmith'smusic. Goldsmith was brought in late to the film after Maurice Jarre dropped out. His beautiful theme echoes throughout, underscoring the humanity more than the action. He never lets the audience lose sight of the family's struggle, and adds yet another layer of believability to the adventure.
So brace yourself and hang on for one heck of a ride. ``The River Wild'' is a thriller that reaches out and grabs you by the throat for 108 minutes and absolutely does not let go. There is a great deal of cheesy foreshadowing in Denis O'Neill's screenplay, but it's easily ignored. The action is subdued enough that it avoids overblowing itself, and director Hanson never lets things get out of hand. Meryl Streep is a great action lady, Bacon's a chilling action baddie and ``The River Wild'' is a whopping good action picture. MEMO: ``The River Wild'' is rated PG-13. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brent A. Bowles is a freshman at JMU.
by CNB