Suspicious River (2000) Reviews

• subtle and haunting

  octomagneto2005-01-06

  If you're a fan of Molly Parker then you definitely should see this film. Ms. Parker proves in this role as she does in the HBO series "Deadwood", that she is an accomplished, diverse and talented actress. Suspicious River is gripping story of a woman who as a hotel clerk, begins to seduce her male guest. However she allows herself to become prey to one of the more unstable guest as she becomes ever more recklessness. Well shot with gray, melancholy scenes of the wooded North West. Muted colors, and misty landscapes are apropos to the story. The soundtrack of indy music contains several interesting songs. If you enjoy independent film this is worth renting.

• Edgy, Deep Film

  courser-12003-08-01

  I read quite a few reviews here before I opted to buy Suspicious River. I had heard quite a bit about it while it was filming, but then was a bit put off on actually buying it. I finally did and am glad I did. I've become a fan of Canadian film the last few years and find that many of them could be considered 'disturbing' by some. I didn't find Suspicious River all that disturbing, but an interesting view of a young woman fighting her demons. Certainly this film was no more disturbing than, say, Crash or The Sweet Hereafter. I thought the film was extremely well done. Both Parker and Rennie did justice to their roles. I never considered Parker's lack of emotion to be a flaw, but an integral part of her character. Probably a bit too edgy for mainstream audiences, with its long silences and scenery shots, but for me, it all enhanced the mood of the film. I've found I really enjoy the smaller scale, more character driven films by Canadian filmmakers. It's also fun, since the pool of Canadian actors is much smaller than in the US and therefore, you get to see actors playing a multitude, very different parts. I enjoyed the film very much.

• Dark Wonderful Amazing film. Bravo Molly Parker!

  zombiezen2004-12-14

  I have read some of the other reviews of this film and obviously they were written by people who probably thought it was gonna be something sexy and erotic. IT IS NOT! It is sexy is some parts but this is about a woman at a crossroads in her life. She works at motel as receptionist and is also a prostitute for some of the customers. She is very unhappy with her life and looking for a way out of her current situation. Maybe a much darker way out than she will admit to herself. I thought the acting by Molly Parker was amazing and she conveys every emotion perfectly in this film. All the actors in fact do a remarkable job and the direction is dead on. The film is very dark and contains some scary imagery but that should not put off serious film buffs. If you liked the film kissed or you like films like Mullhuland drive then you will really enjoy this. Its told in simple and pure tones and is riveting in its honesty. If on the other hand you thought a film like two moon junction was good cinema then stay away cuz this is nothing like that. It has a heart and some serious edge and will not leave you happy and sparkly feeling. It want to tell a real story about real people who are struggling with their own demons and trying to find a way to overcome them.

• It's no candy

  abrilmay2005-11-18

  Cinema can and should reflect all aspects of human nature. This movie is indeed very dark. It tells the story of a woman who uses what she can to get away from her past, her home town. Yet, in doing so - she turns tricks in the motel where she works - she repeats a past linked to her mother. We have here a woman with no self respect, who has had to deal with the tragic consequences of her mom's adultery. She seeks the attention of men, in that sense she's not only whoring for money. One day, she comes across a man in her motel, gorgeous Callum Keith Rennie, sweet talker,he wins her heart. Sadly, but in the same dark wave as the rest of the movie, he turns out to be a dangerous prick. Why do people hate this movie...it has very little light to guide our steps through this girl's nightmare. We are used to candy/vanilla stories where the good ones triumph, the bad ones ether go to jail or explode...This movie, and the psychological trauma it shows, is all too real. And it is a scary thing to watch...Molly Parker is great in this role...Not many actresses could have played this part. Not a feel good movie.

• Very tough to watch

  gazebo2003-12-24

  SPOILERS I have to say that the performances in this film is excellent. Molly Parker is very good as a mentally damaged young woman who can only find relief in her dull life by becoming a prostitute in a hotel where she serves as a receptionist. I couldn't help thinking, why is this nice looking young woman acting in such a horribly self-destructive way? Things get worse for this woman when she meets a handsome man who wanted to stay in the motel. This man, played by Callum Keith Rennie (an incredibly intense actor), beats her up in his motel room. She doesn't do a thing to stop this abuse. Gradually along the way, she ends up having an affair with this dangerous stranger and things go from bad to worse. Oddly enough, a second story appears. This has to do with a young girl who has a dysfunctional family life. Her parents are not getting along and her mother has numerous love affairs. Tragedy happens to this little girl. The stories do not seem to relate to one another, but the ending, which is jarring and disturbing, ties the two stories together. Like I said before, the performances are very good, but the story left me feeling a little ill. There is this one scene where Gary (Callum Keith Rennie) takes Lilah (Molly Parker) to a room in a house. He tells her he has to go out to do something and so she stays in the house. Men come into Lilah's room and pretty much rape her. She doesn't do anything but lay there like a corpse. The rape scene made me feel very sick at Lilah's violation and I was angry that she did nothing to save herself. Only in the end, did she find some sort of courage to get away from Gary. This is a deeply disturbing film. Not everyone will enjoy this movie. I give this movie a "B+" for the perforamnces and a "C-" for the story.