[yasr_overall_rating]
In the south of Laos, an American volunteer doctor becomes a fugitive after he intervenes in the sexual assault of a young woman. When the assailant’s body is pulled from the Mekong River, things quickly spiral out of control.
After a big accident brings several wounded people into the clinic where he works in Laos, American doctor John Lake (Rossif Sutherland), after losing one of them to her injuries, is distraught over her death and is told by his boss Stephanie (Sara Botsford), to take some time off to recuperate. He does so and decides to head south for a few days, to relax by the water and take in the sights. While at a bar one night, he notices two Australian men chatting up two local girls, who look underage. Eventually they leave and later, when John is heading back to his apartment, he sees the body of one of the girls lying on the sand unconscious, with her underwear around her ankles. He notices Lachlan (Aidan Gillett), one of the Australian men he saw in the bar earlier, standing by the water and in a fit of rage, John attacks him and they end up in a fight. Soon thereafter, John realizes that he is not breathing and quickly places his body in the water to try and make it look like an accident.
After waking the girl to see if she is okay, she quickly ascertains that she has been violated and assumes that John was the attacker and rushes off, screaming for help as she goes. He races back to his apartment, panic-stricken, and early the next morning, tries to leave but is apprehended by police. Knowing that he could receive the death penalty if he is convicted of murder, and with no way to prove his innocence, John manages to escape but after losing his wallet and passport, he must try to make his way back to the American embassy in Vientiane, before it is too late.
“River” is a movie that works because of its leading man, Rossif Sutherland. Playing an American doctor who works in the impoverished areas of Laos, he has very little dialogue throughout the movie’s 95 minute run time, instead, we are able to bear witness to his every emotion, utilizing facial expressions and body movement, from fearful, to grateful, and everything else in between. Mr. Sutherland displays a natural ability to take command of the screen, even when it appears that he is doing something as trivial as waiting for a bus, or evaluating his situation, you find that you cannot take your eyes off of him. His every nuance and characteristic, is authentic and utterly convincing, so even though we know he accidentally killed the man who raped the young woman, we root for him because in the end, he is a good man with morals, who genuinely cares about others.
Director Jamie M. Dagg, in his feature film directorial debut, crafts an intense and provocative thriller that never lets up. The cinematography by Adam Marsden, who lensed the effectively creepy indie horror hit “Haunt,” adds a layer of suspense and intrigue that is only enhanced by Rossif Sutherland and the rest of the wonderful supporting cast. Highly recommended.
Available on Blu-ray & DVD July 26th
