London River

Critics Consensus

London River is a showcase of dynamite acting that more than overcomes its politically blunt story.

91%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 33

67%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 10,175
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London River Photos

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Movie Info

London 2005--It's the story of Ousmane and Mrs Sommers, both humble people living ordinary lives, he in France, she in the Channel Islands. He has a son - she has a daughter - they both are students in London. On July 7th 2005, without any news of their dear children, they decide to start a journey together in search of the two teenagers. And although they come from different religious backgrounds - Ousmane is Muslim and Mrs Sommers' Christian - they will share the same hope in finding their children alive. Putting aside their cultural differences, they will give each other the strength to continue the search and maintain the faith. -- (C) Official Site

Cast

Brenda Blethyn
as Elisabeth Sommers
Francis Magee
as Inspector
Roschdy Zem
as Butcher
Sami Bouajila
as Imam
Bernard Blancan
as Logger
Gurdepak Chaggar
as Travel Agent
Sotigui Kouyaté
as Ousmane
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News & Interviews for London River

Critics Consensus: New Year’s Eve Drops the Ball
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Critic Reviews for London River

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (3)

  • The film is a matter of Brenda Blethyn's performance vs. Sotigui Kouyate's presence.

    Feb 16, 2012 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • It would be nice to say that Bouchareb, who also wrote and directed "Days of Glory" and "Outside the Law," succeeds. He does not entirely. But he doesn't fail, either.

    Jan 12, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Bill Goodykoontz

    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic

  • Blethyn and Kouyaté inhabit and expand the film's earnestly instructive intentions, leaving us with a deeply-felt experience rather than a naively-sketched lesson.

    Dec 8, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Elizabeth Weitzman

    New York Daily News
    Top Critic

  • "London River'' features on-target acting by its two leads, but they receive scant support from the wobbly plot.

    Dec 8, 2011 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    V.A. Musetto

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Demonstrates how great acting can infuse a banal, politically correct drama with dollops of emotional truth.

    Dec 6, 2011 | Rating: 3/5

    Stephen Holden

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • There's such a graceful sense of restraint in how this real-life tragedy is treated, one that filters any potential for ripped-from-yesterday's-headlines sensationalism through a respectful requiem of loss and grief.

    Dec 6, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    David Fear

    Time Out
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (33)

Audience Reviews for London River

  • Jul 14, 2013
    On July 7, 2005, Elisabeth(Brenda Blethyn) is watching the news when reports start to come in of the terrorist bombings in London and tries calling her daughter there. After a couple of days and no response, she leaves her home in Guernsey and travels to London. When her daughter is not in at her apartment, her landlord(Roschdy Zem) kindly lets Elisabeth in to wait for her. Meanwhile, Ousmane(Sotigui Kouyate) has arrived from France to look for his son who he has not seen since he was six and asks a local imam(Sami Bouajila) for help. "London River" is a poignant, evocative and devastating movie that shows that sometimes simple is the best way to go, headlined as it is by a couple of superb performances. The movie also works well in bringing a huge tragedy down to a deeply personal level. And making it more interesting is the subject of Elisabeth's ignorance of not only her daughter's life in London but also of multicultural London in general, far away from her isolated farm, just as Ousmane also has little idea of what his son is like now grown up. But like any parent, Elisabeth and Ousmane worry about their children, even now that they are adults.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 24, 2011
    Very touching film. Well made. I have always thought that Brenda Blethyn was an exceptional actress...I still think so. She carried most of the movie herself, and she did it very well.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 22, 2011
    Using the july 2005 london bus bomb as a story device, a mother brilliantly played by brenda blethyn, travels to london from her home in france when she sees shocking events on tv, and unable to make contact with daughter. once there she is determined to find her whereabouts and in to story comes the father of the boyfriend shes seeing. together and on her behalf reluctantly team to find them both. a film with a emotion running through it, and a interesting charactor for blethyn, part of her story being not being able to understand the relationship her daughter had started while in london, a big fact being his muslim heritage. the film plays well, and using current events to move story along a interesting and relevent watch.
    scott g Super Reviewer
  • Jan 13, 2011
    A beautiful story of two souls whose loved ones are overtaken by grander tragic events and how they find a connection that goes beyond language, prejudice, culture and life background.
    John B Super Reviewer
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