“River Wild” is a modern “remake” of “The River Wild” (1994), starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon. Directed by Ben Ketai, who also wrote the script, this 91-minute film features lesser-known names such as Leighton Meester, Taran Killam, and Adam Brody. Prime Video released the movie. The question is whether this “remake” will surpass the original.
Joey (Meester), a doctor, plans a vacation with her brother, Gray (Killam), for a rafting tour with two young tourists, Karissa and Van. Trevor (Brody), Gray’s old partner still on probation, unexpectedly joins them. The river trip goes smoothly until Van’s head injury during their overnight stay raises suspicions of foul play. As they reluctantly head back down the river for help, Trevor, wanting to avoid the police, complicates their situation.
“River Wild” diverges from the original film’s story, crafted 30 years ago. I recall the thick layers of drama and family dynamics in the original, where a family encounters two fugitives. While the core plot remains similar, the remake falls short in terms of cast and production quality. Streep and Bacon were nominated for Best Actress and Actor at the Golden Globe Awards for the original, highlighting the disparity.
The plot of “River Wild” becomes intriguing in the second act. Unlike the original, it emphasizes the personal side as the antagonist is a long-time acquaintance. The curiosity centers on how they’ll escape the situation, a suspenseful element maintained for half the duration. Unfortunately, the latter part overlooks reasons, containing unforgivable plot holes. The climactic action fails to deliver the expected suspense, and the original’s solid story with a satisfying finale stands superior.
Despite the execution falling short of its promising title, “River Wild” boasts an interesting premise and an intense thriller side. A positive aspect is the stunning panorama of hills, forests, and rivers. It’s regrettable that the film doesn’t take risks in its water scenes using current audio-visual technology. The filmmakers seem too lazy to explore innovative shots. Comparing it to the original film, where drone technology didn’t exist, magnifies this limitation. Additionally, the film abandons family values for cheap criminal acts without conveying meaningful messages.
