Cheap River's Edge (DVD) (Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves) (Tim Hunter) Price

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Customer Reviews of River's Edge

"American Graffiti" meets "American Psycho"
Before Larry Clarke's uber-nihilistic "Kids" (and the real-life Columbine tragedy) came along and made this movie look like a wacky Disney romp, Tim Hunter's "River's Edge" WAS the most disturbing look at modern teenage alienation ever put on film. Based on a true story, "River's Edge" examines a group of high school stoners and thier reactions (or inaction) to the thrill kill murder of one of thier friends by her boyfriend. The resulting angst, confusion, guilt and conflicted peer-pressure loyalty issues makes for cracking drama, and the talented, well-directed ensemble cast is more than up for it. Crispin Glover steals the show with a decidedly weird, but compelling performance as the "alpha" of the teen pack. Co-star Dennis Hopper once stated in an interview that of all the young actors he has worked with since he appeared in "Rebel Without A Cause", Glover comes the closest (in terms of acting presence, not 'looks') to capturing James Dean's ghost. Keanu Reeves turns in a great performance, making it even more puzzling why he has since evolved into such an inert mannequin onscreen. The most interesting aspect of the film is that the more times you see it (and it does stand up to repeat viewings) the more darkly comic it becomes; not "ha-ha funny", but "funny" in the same way "To Die For" and "Punch-Drunk Love" are "funny". Not to be missed by any fan of intelligent, well-made cinema.

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Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction !!!
If you ever doubted that truth is stranger than fiction, check out this true story and masterful film that became an instant cult classic in 1987, and still survives today as a case study in adolescent psychology at many major universities. Director Tim Hunter (Saint of Fort Washington) brings to life this spine chilling yet somber contemporary drama that will have you not believing your eyes, or the fact that this story is a true one. This film exemplifies a raw, honest look at teenage alienation and ambivalence, where values have been twisted far beyond adult comprehension. It is an account of an actual event whereby a close knit group of teenagers discover that one of their own has killed his girlfriend. Emotionally ill prepared, they struggle to differentiate between friendship and responsibility. What ensues is a chain of events that is as mesmerizing as it is incredible, and as hypnotic as it is horrifying! Expertly cast and acted, this film is brought to life by very memorable character portrayals by Crispin Glover (Layne), Keanu Reeves (Matt), Ione Skye (Clarissa), Roxana Zal (Maggie), Daniel Roebuck (Samson), Joshua Miller (Tim ), and Dennis Hopper (Feck) as a half crazed psychopathic murderer himself. The close associations drawn by this film with such things as sex and death will linger in your consciousness for days on end, and compel you to see this movie again and again. Truly a work of cinematic art and great film making. Excellent !!!

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"It was right in front of me. I poked at it with a stick"
"River's Edge" revolves around the reactions (or lack of them) by high school students to the murder of a high school girl by her boyfriend. Nearly all the kids have a dysfunctional family or other disruptive situation that leaves them untrusting of adults. The death of their friend by another friend creates a tension among them as to whether they should turn him in.

The main group of kids is composed of Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye and Roxana Zal. Keanu lives with his little terrorist brother, Josh Miller, an even younger sister, his single mother and her do-nothing boyfriend. The other main character is "Feck" played by Dennis Hopper. He is a criminal in hiding, and is the main source for "Feck weed". Some of the acting is either nearly over the top (Glover) or questionable (Reeves), but Dennis Hopper is great as a rather strange character with a past and a large love doll, Ellie, as a friend. Josh Miller as the younger trouble-making brother is disturbing and excellent.

Although the movie is a drama and is rather unnerving, it has some unusual humor, most of it coming from Feck and the younger brother, who is about 10 or 11 years old. At one point the kid is mad and goes to see his friend at night and taps on his window - "Bring your numchuks. And get your dad's car. I know where I can get a gun".

The movie is heavy on smoking and drinking among teens and pre-teens, rampant swearing by teens and pre-teens, and teen sex. Oh yeah, a full frontal nude girl, though she's dead and turning a few colors. The DVD has the widescreen movie, chapter, subtitles (French/Spanish) and a trailer. I strongly recommend it for Dennis Hopper and Josh Miller if nothing else.