River's Edge (1986) Review

 

River’s Edge (1986)

Growing up, we all knew about the John Hughes-esque romanticized depictions of growing up in the 80s. But for me, I had also heard of the other side too. The dark and toxic and parts that many don’t like to hear about. And that is what River’s Edge does best.

River’s Edge tells the story of Samson, who after killing his girlfriend by the river, doesn’t hide it but invites his friends to come see and gawk at the sight. Eventually though, their consciouses begin to gnaw at some, driving them to go to the police.

This movie, unlike most 80s movies shows a side we typically don’t see. Troubled home lives, fractured families, drugs, and just how dark that time was for some people. And for the teens in the movie, all they have to rely on is each other. Which is what makes the film so powerful and gripping because even after the death and murder of their friend, the murderer was also their friend, leaving them with moral ambiguity and stuck in limbo on what to do for most of the film. Do they turn him in? Do they cover for him? Or do they just say nothing because nobody really cares anyway? It really makes you think and put yourself in the situation.

As for the rest of the film, the direction is extremely well done on Tim Hunter’s part, not going for flashy, but telling a surreal and dark story that many would shy away from. And within all of that darkness, is always the good aspects of teen romance and smoking with friends, but it’s all done naturally, which is what makes this movie so impactful.

The acting is great too, with Dennis Hopper, Daniel Roebuck, and in his breakout role before Bill and Ted, Keanu Reeves, all putting in fantastic performances that show their ranges from kooky and sinister, to serious and loving. Not to mention that the soundtrack is great, with deep heavy metal cuts that go right along with the tone of the movie.

River’s Edge tells a phenomenal story showing what kids in the 80s would have to do to combat that emptiness inside, even if it meant killing. The film shows and forces us to feel a horror, that the kids simply don’t get to feel, or can’t for that matter.

7.3/10