The River King (2005)
Abel Grey is sent to investigate the death of a boy from an exclusive local school, who is found floating in the river. Fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide. But after discovering from the boy's girlfriend, Carlin, that he was being badly bullied, Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiation has gone horribly wrong and he secretly solicits the help of a sympathetic teacher, Betsy. He is warned off the investigation by his boss, as the school is a generous benefactor to the Police benevolent fund. Abel, however, cannot let the case go, not only because his own brother committed suicide years before, but also it seems that the spirit of the dead boy is leaving them clues as to what really happened that night.
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Better Late Then Never
Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Okay... The direction, cinematography, the mood, and the pacing were done brilliantly and were truly captivating. And, unlike other reviewers here, I REALLY like Edward Burns; I think he is a cool kat in the vein of a milder Ben Affleck (PLEASE, do yourself a HUGE favour and watch 'CONFIDENCE'; DAMN good film!!!) BUT... And it is a BIG BUT like Mariah Carey's... It just isn't that terribly imaginative or deep. So, if you like your films very simple and straight-forward, you might like it. HOWEVER... If, like me, you like to have a little more mystery, imagination, and flavour in your movies, the ending of this film will leave you flatter than Chaz Bono...The movie is very well made, but, anyone who enjoys a bit more mystery and other-worldly flavour in their films should steer away and watch something else, because it is highly likely the ending will greatly disappoint you.Thus the extreme disparity and polarized reviews of this film...
After watching this movie, I sat back in my chair, and smiled. Some other reviews display disgust, and borderline hatred for this film. For those of you who side with this argument, then shame on you. This film is a terrific piece of art. It (as other reviews mention) has no solid ending. Does this constitute a bad thing? I think not. It was even more fulfilling.The primary focus of the film was the main character, Abel, searching for answers of a potential murder. When he finds his answers, he ultimately decides that it is best that a lie is kept, and the truth to be buried. The cinematography was brilliant, and the music fit very well. The portrayal of characters was excellent. The message is rooted in controversy, yet makes you agree with it. This was a fun use of two hours, and i'm glad that i chose this movie over studying for class. In closing, look at the film in an artistic perspective. My roommate failed to do so, and thus forth disliked the movie. The art is oh so present, and it is so beautiful.Thanks for Reading
The River King is based off the novel of Alice Hoffman. The movie is about a detective Abel Grey who is played by Edward Burns. He is sent to investigate the death of a student. The police department believes that the death of the student is a suicide. But he believes that students death is not. The movie starts off slow but starts to pick up some speed towards the middle. I thought that Edward Burns did a good job in the movie but even he can't save the movie. I thought the was good until I got to the end of the movie. The movie is not going to be for everyone and because of the way the movie ends I can't recommend the movie to anyone.
I am not sure why THE RIVER KING went STV. It is a compelling crime drama, beautifully photographed, directed, written and acted. Ed Burns plays a cop investigating the untimely death of a prep school student, a social outcast whose body is found drowned in a frozen river adjacent to the school. Was it suicide or murder? No suicide note has been uncovered, and Burns suspects foul play, even if it means quitting the police force to keep investigating on his own. He is aided in this by a little boy who pops up here and there and never leaves footprints behind in the snow. The film is very moody, downright spooky at times. There are ghosts involved, but perhaps not in the way you might suspect if you are familiar with such otherworldly classics as THE OTHERS, THE HAUNTING and even GOTHIKA. Burns as the disaffected cop is low key and terrific as always, a thinking man's Ben Affleck. He is ably supported by several familiar Hollywood and TV faces, including John Kapelos as his bent partner and Jennifer Ehle as his love interest, a teacher at the spooky school. Watching THE RIVER KING, I was reminded of CRIMSON RIVERS, one of the best modern Gothic thrillers of the last 50 years.