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The River (He liu) (1997)

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Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Movie Info

Tsai Ming-Liang's The River, the Taiwanese master's third feature, opens with a chance encounter between Xiao-Kang (Lee Kang-Sheng) and an old friend (Chen Shiang-Chyi), an unexpected meeting that sets this bleak and ultimately disturbing film on its course. Persuaded to accompany his friend to a film set where she works as a production assistant, Xiao-Kang is recruited by the director to play a corpse floating in a polluted river. After the shoot, Xiao-Kang struggles to wash the river's stench

Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.

Drama

Directed By: Ming-liang Tsai

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1997 Wide

On DVD: Feb 4, 2003

Kimstim

The River (He liu) Trailer & Photos

Cast

Kang-sheng Lee
Lee Xiao-Kang
Lu Hsiao-Ling
Mother
Tien Miao
Father
Chen Chao-jung
Young Man At Sauna
Shiang-chyi Chen
Xiao-Kang's Girlfriend
Ann Huei
Film Director
Lu Chiao-Lin
Mother's Lover

Critic Reviews for The River (He liu)

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (3) | DVD (3)

Tsai is so adept at pacing and mood, and so good at capturing a sense of yearning, that his film draws us in despite its unusually long takes and sparse cutting.

October 28, 2001 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle

| Comment

Edward Guthmann

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

The result is a stunning surreal film that remains unexplored in all the mysteries it holds, just like the river that flows in the city.

February 26, 2003 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The River is difficult and unpleasant at times, but as a somber metaphor for contaminated lives, it's masterful.

August 6, 2002 Comment

Scott Tobias

AV Club

A brilliant, multi-layered work by a true artist of the cinema.

November 11, 2001 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Too murky and long to swim in.

October 28, 2001 Comment (1)

Rod Armstrong

Reel.com

a painfully incisive portrait of the contemporary human condition

October 22, 2001 Full Review Source: culturevulture.net

| Comment

Arthur Lazere

culturevulture.net

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Audience Reviews for The River (He liu)

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A very hard film to watch while at the same time riveting, here is a somber look at the modern family, where no one shares the same interests, everyone lives separate lives except for the occasional meal or two. The roof is leaking and getting worse and no one knows why ... a disturbing work, and for adults only.

January 22, 2012