The River (1984)
- Starring:
- Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek, (more)
- Director(s):
- Mark Rydell
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
- Format(s):
- DVD
| Digital SD
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Synopsis of The River
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 Tennessee 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
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 124 mins
Complete Cast of The River
- Mel Gibson - Tom Garvey
- Shane Bailey - Lewis Garvey
- Scott Glenn - John Wade
- James Tolkan - Howard Simpson
- Ivan Green - Smoot
- Lisa Sloan - Judy Birkin
- Amy Rydell - Betty Gaumer
- Andy Stahl - Dave Birkin
- Kelly Toomey - Lisa Tessley
- Billy Green Bush - Harvey Stanley
- Charlie Robinson - Truck
- David Hart - Harley
- Barry Primus - Roy
- Sissy Spacek - Mae Garvey
- Becky Jo Lynch - Beth Garvey
- Don Hood - Sen. Neiswinder
- Bob W. Douglas - Hal Richardson
- Dean Whitworth - Doctor
- Frank Taylor - Zemke
- Jim Antonio - Dan Guamer
- Gary Gershaw - Drifter
- Larry D. Farrell - Rod Tessley
- Jack Starrett - Swick
- Susie Toomey - Sally Tessley
- Elizabeth Lane - Secretary
- Director(s):
- Mark Rydell
- Writer(s):
- Julian Barry, Robert Dillon
- Producer(s):
- Edward Lewis, Robert Cortes
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13(Questionable for Children, Adult Situations, Violence, Adult Language)
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