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Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek, Shane Bailey, Becky Jo Lynch, Scott Glenn ... see more see more... , Don Hood , James Tolkan , Bob W. Douglas , Jim Antonio , Billy Green Bush , Larry D. Farrell , Gary Gershaw , Ivan Green , Amy Rydell , Lisa Sloan , Kelly Toomey , Susie Toomey , David Hart , Barry Primus , Jack Starrett , Dean Whitworth , Andy Stahl , Frank Hoyt Taylor , Elizabeth Lane , Charlie Robinson

This socially conscious family farm drama from director Mark Rydell was his follow up to the Oscar-winning On Golden Pond (1981). Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek star as Tom and Mae Garvey, struggling Ten... read more read more...nessee farmers constantly one step away from foreclosing. Their farm sits next to a river that both nourishes their land and constantly threatens to overflow its banks and destroy their crops. The Garveys sell some of their equipment for obscenely low prices at a foreclosure auction, at which some of their neighbors are forced to give up everything they own. The stoic Tom takes a job as a scab at a mill where the union workers are striking. Meanwhile, Mae has a platonic flirtation with local bank manager Joe (Scott Glenn), who saves her life when she's trapped under a heavy piece of farm equipment. Tom's homecoming is cut short by a flood, but the raging waters allow him to become a hero to his family again. The River was the third in a trio of dramas depicting the plight of the American family farmer released that same year. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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50% liked it

6,090 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Mark Rydell

Release Date: December 17, 1984

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DVD Release Date: February 23, 1999

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Stats: 119 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (119)

  • movieguru12
    December 30, 2009
    movieguru12
    A movie that shows you not to judge Sissy Spacek by her performance in Carrie.
  • jjnxn
    September 26, 2007
    jjnxn
    Sissy is good as always, Mel over earnest.
  • deano
    April 14, 2007
    deano
    Just a good emotionally-charged film celebrates the triumph of a young rural couple as they face nature's greatest ravages, the threat of poverty and a wrenching separation.
  • ladydthediva
    May 2, 2008
    ladydthediva
    It's been a long time since I have seen this movie but it was pretty good! If you like Mel Gibson and you haven't seen it yet, you should. Mel in his younger days. *sighs* ;-)
  • scifisstrs3blog
    September 4, 2007
    scifisstrs3blog
    I can only think of right now my favorite. I always watch that in the summer. All of what these people have to go through to keep living on their farm is what it is all about. Since my Turtle (son) works on an island near the river what better movie to watch.
  • sandihopkins
    January 24, 2007
    sandihopkins
    Mel Gibson is a Very Good Actor..Sissy Spacek does a good job in this one too...I Love this Movie...!!!!

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
August 12, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek, The River is one of three films dealing with the plight of American farmers which came out in the same year, 1984. Full Review

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