The River Wild

55% of critics liked it

49% of users liked it

Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon
In theaters Sep 30, 1994
PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.

Movie Info

Cast: Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, Joseph Mazzello, John C. Reilly, Benjamin Bratt, Diane Delano, Thomas F. Duffy, Elizabeth Hoffman, Glenn Morshower
Director: Curtis Hanson
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
Theater Release: Sep 30, 1994
DVD Release: Nov 01, 1998
Synopsis: In a change-of-pace role designed to prove that she could carry high-concept genre films as well as character-driven dramas, Meryl Streep headlined this fast-paced adventure as Gail, a whitewater rafting guide. For a vacation, Gail is accompanying her son Roarke (Joseph Mazzello) and workaholic husband Tom (David Strathairn) on a river trip. Gail and Tom are experiencing marital troubles and contemplating divorce, but their problems take a back seat when they encounter some menacing rafters led

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
    The perfect high old time for audiences in the mood to be tossed into the spin cycle for a pulse-pounding thrill ride. More...
  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post
    O'Neill proves to be a squeamish screenwriter. He doesn't allow his villain to do anything truly unnerving until the story's nearly done. More...
  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
    Constructed from so many ideas, characters and situations recycled from other movies that all the way down the river I kept thinking: Been there. Done that. More...
  • Desson Thomson, Washington Post
    If watched from a mildly amused, forgiving distance, the movie has its enjoyable moments -- good and campy. More...
  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews
    The thriller framework is still familiar, but the results exhibit a welcome freshness. More...
  • Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm
    Another 1990s domestic parable chastising workaholic dads, The River Wild also functions as a gorgeous travelogue and a Meryl Streep action film. More...
  • Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
    A buff Streep vs. bad guy Bacon on a wild river journey in which good acting overcomes several cliches. More...
  • Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
    corny but gripping More...
  • Fred Topel, About.com
    Terrible "suspense" movie. Predictable and no action until the end. More...
  • Oz, Hollywood Bitchslap
    It looks like an action movie, sounds like an action movie, but there's a lot more going on here. More...