The rush of white water rafting has always held an allure of adventure and danger, a perfect backdrop for the action thriller genre. "River Wild," a reimagining of the Meryl Streep classic, takes this premise and delivers a lean, gripping narrative complemented by a commanding performance from Leighton Meester.
In this revamped version, the story follows Joey Reese (Leighton Meester), a reserved medical doctor, who embarks on a white water rafting trip led by her brother Gray (Taran Killam) and his friend Trevor (Adam Brody). The journey starts off innocently, with the group navigating the rapids with excitement. However, their peaceful trip takes a dramatic turn when one of their companions sustains a serious injury. With medical attention hours away, the group must navigate treacherous waters and escalating dangers to ensure their survival.
Leighton Meester's portrayal of Joey is a standout in "River Wild." Unlike traditional heroines, Joey's emergence as a central figure is gradual, making her eventual role all the more impactful. Meester's performance thrives on subtle intensity, conveyed through her watchful eyes and tense demeanor. Her commanding screen presence captures both intelligence and practicality, anchoring the film's tension.
Adam Brody's portrayal of Trevor, while charged with excitement, falls into a one-note portrayal. This unsavory character could have benefited from a deeper exploration of his psyche and motivations. The film's direction and screenplay, helmed by Ben Ketai and co-written with Mike Nguyen Le, effectively build tension and suspense but occasionally fall short in fully developing character motivations. Yet, the action sequences flow organically, and the dialogue, while sometimes clunky, remains engaging.
Despite its imperfections, "River Wild" remains captivating. The film's potential to create claustrophobia is realized through Ketai's direction. The characters might be able to leave the raft, but they can't escape the impending danger. The movie's 85-minute runtime is a testament to its efficiency, delivering muscular storytelling without unnecessary complications.
While the film's visual quality is sometimes hindered by low-contrast lighting, the river's beauty and the narrative's intensity remain striking. Meester's character-defining monologue towards the end of the movie is emotionally charged, though slightly diminished due to the lighting's limitations.
Conclusion
"River Wild" captures the spirit of a classic action thriller, making it an easy watch for those seeking adrenaline-pumping entertainment. With its unpretentious storytelling and Leighton Meester's compelling performance, the film stands as an effective and engaging cinematic experience. If "River Wild" had been released in the past, it would have comfortably found a place on the shelves of video rental stores, waiting to provide viewers with an exciting Saturday afternoon escape.
River Wild (2023) - info
- Release date: August 1, 2023
- Genre: Thriller
- Director: Ben Ketai
- Writer: Ben Ketai, Mike Nguyen Le
- Stars: Adam Brody, Courtney Chen, Eve Connolly