RIVER Movie Review

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Keep this in mind for the rest of your life and for the lives of those around you. “Thousands have lived without love but not one without water.” This was a statement made by English poet, playwright, and critic W.J. Auden. He may not have been right about everything, but you can hardly disagree with this declaration!

“River” was difficult to watch, yet essential that every person on this planet views it as soon as possible. Yes, you see the incredible beauty of the rivers that wind through this planet, empowering us to trade using small boats or large ships, which allows our life to flourish. But lately, we’ve forgotten or don’t care how essential rivers are to us and the other species we share with this world.

“River” is delivered to us vocally by the cultured and imposing actor Willem Dafoe. He begins by stating and asking the obvious, “Humans have long loved rivers, but as we have learned to harness their power, have we also forgotten to revere them?”

A frightening question and one we, sadly, know the answer to whether we want to be on the right side of the remark or not.

Next, we see shots of our planet from space. We see vein-type AREAS where water is or once was.

He explains to his audience that “It rained without pause for thousands of years” and that rivers have shaped the world and us as a species.

There was a time when we worshipped rivers. They’re the arteries of the planet, after all. They have slowly and splendidly cut paths through mountains for ages and ages, bringing us everlasting magnificence and ways for the human species to thrive. They pass us our lifeblood. Water. The water we see comes from different sources, such as glaciers slowly dripping themselves from existence.

Fish enjoy swimming and multiplying in their essence, and we enjoy having a swim. “Wild and willful, unhindered, the glaciers’ only purpose is to descend. Cities thrive along the banks of great rivers, growing in popularity and strength from what the river does for its people.

But they can hurt us, too. Floods can carry us away and long-lasting droughts can make us totally disappear. Here, directors Jennifer Peedom and Joseph Nizeti give us traumatic images and videos that we need to see, not pretend that all is well on this planet.

They tell us how people decided it was time to control these rivers. They’re just there for us, but they’re valuable resources to those who seek great value in them. Defoe tells us, “Our ability to control rivers has changed the course of history.”

Pausing… taking a break for a few minutes is what was best for me during this time. I was almost weeping. We don’t think about it, but those upriver do prosper, but at the price of those downriver. Downstream must have less for those of us everywhere else to have more.

We’re overwhelming rivers, damming and diverting them for our needs. Interestingly, Defoe says, “The amount of water in the hydrosphere hasn’t changed since the first rains fell, but the number of people on earth has grown exponentially and every one of us is utterly dependent on water.” If this comment wasn’t distressing enough for you, he warns us, “The greatest dams have impounded so much water that they’ve slowed the rotation of the earth.” Another pause moment.

The amount of information, even about things such as the sediment in the water needing to do its job but can’t because of what we’ve done, will bewilder you.

But there is hope. When a river reaches the ocean to die, it begins its reincarnation. It changes state in an endless cycle of renewal. Well, if people don’t completely kill it first… this did make me optimistic. Luckily, given a chance, rivers possess miraculous powers of recovery. I don’t want to think about it because I love Lake Powell, but it’s time to set the Colorado River free to do its job.

Yes. I love that beautiful lake, but the beauty that was there before we dammed and filled it still remains. We need its water, but it doesn’t reach the ocean anymore because we have it dammed three times. When a dam is removed, the water and sediment are freed to run downriver and nourish the land again. There is footage of this being done that will truly make you think.

There are captivating, gorgeous shots of storm clouds before and after they release rain. The atmosphere is alive with moving water… the sky has rivers. “They hold more water than all the streams and rivers on earth combined.” I was in awe of this footage and you will be, too. Lightning danced inside clouds, dropping rain into the Grand Canyon, snow onto mountain tops and shower rain into streams. It’s sublime.

Just think, we share our fate with rivers; we flow together. Look after the river and the river will look after you.

Please take the time and watch this film.

There’s an important postscript before the credits. Please stay and read it.