River Red Movie Review 1998

Trying to save his younger brother Tom (Moscow) from the beatings Dad regularly gives him, Dave Holden (Scott), stabs their father to death. As a minor (and therefore subject to a lighter sentence), Tom takes the rap and is sent to a juvenile home until he is 21. Dave's guilt (and the debts his father has left him) cause him to become physically violent, leading him into a life of crime. When the brothers reunite, emotions come to a head. Based on Drilling's one-act stage play, film boasts fine performances but nevertheless fails to take advantage of its controversial plot and deep psychological themes. A more thorough examination of the motivations would have made for a heightened outcome and a more interesting film overall.

Distribution

Not Yet Released

Available on VHS
Running time 104 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Bad Dads, Brothers & Sisters, Adapted from a Play, Order in the Court, Disorganized Crime, On the Rocks, Child Abuse, Family Reunions

Screenplay

Eric Drilling

Cast

Tom Everett Scott, David Moscow, Cara Buono, Denis O'Hare, Leo Burmester, Tibor Feldman, James Murtaugh, David Lowery, Michael Kelly

Cinematography

Steven Schlueter

Director

Eric Drilling

Music

Johnny Hickman

Producer

Castle Hill Productions