River

Released By: Well Go USA
Released On: July 26, 2016.
Director: Jamie M. Dagg
Cast: Rossif Sutherland, Douangmany Soliphanh, Sara Botsford
Year: 2015
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The Film:

A Canadian film distributed by the US branch of a company specializing in Asian films? A film that did well at the Toronto International Film Festival, and even won an award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television? Colour me interested! John Lake (Rossif Sutherland...that other kid belonging to Donald Sutherland) is a New York City doctor working at an NGO in Laos, when a multiple-casualty traffic accident results in his losing of a patient during what should have been a routine procedure. Ordered by his supervisor (Sara Botsford) to take two weeks off to get his act together, Lake heads to south Laos and rents a riverside shack where he can swim daily, read, and overall, enjoy his holiday....near Cambodia.

Deciding on his first night that a change of scenery is in order, John heads to a local provider of spirits, where he sits in the corner, gets drunk off his ass, and reads a book, keeping to himself. However, his helpful doctor nature can't ignore the two Australian tourists who are joyfully pouring booze down the throats of two local girls, who are obviously having a hard time keeping up and maintaining their consciousness, and so he intercedes on his way to the bathroom, suggesting to the brazen young Aussies that maybe the ladies have had enough to drink. Sure, sure, say the Aussies, and when John finishes his business, the group have gone on their merry drunken way, leaving John to share a drink or six with the owner of the establishment.

It's a beautiful night for a staggering walk home, but all of that changes when John happens by a sandy spot near the river, where one of the Australian men is urinating, the unconscious body of an obviously raped Laotian girl on the ground beside him. A furious Dr. Lake confronts the man, which leads to an alcohol-fueled fistfight in which John emerges victorious; if you count beating his opponent to death a victory. Drunk and confused by what has happened, John turns to the young girl in an attempt to help her, but the suddenly conscious victim takes only a few seconds to realize that she's been assaulted, and that the likely culprit is the man currently holding her by the arms. Frightened by her screams, John flees the scene, realizing a short time later that he's lost his wallet, which he returns to the scene of the crime to find.

Unfortunately for John, the Aussie's partner has reported his buddy missing, local cops have already talked to John's bartender friend about what happened the night before, and the dead man's body washes up on the shore at the same time the police locate the young girl who believes that John is the bad guy. When his explanation that a bicycle accident is responsible for his cuts, bruises, and a black eye are regarded as rather flimsy by the authorities, John does the only thing that he can; he runs. It seems that things can't get any worse as John is pursued by a police force who are convinced that he's guilty, but the dead tourist is the son of a very important man, and Dr. John Lake becomes the object of a nationwide manhunt.

Wow, is what I said upon watching River, and you may say that as well. Written and Directed by Jamie M. Dagg, this is an impressive effort, made even more of an accomplishment by the fact that it's Dagg's first go at a feature film. River does everything right, here....takes full advantage of the beautiful scenery offered by this exotic Asian location, employs some powerful, if largely unheard of acting talent, utilizes a non-intrusive, subtle score that builds effectively when necessary to amplify the tension, and just when you think that you've gotten a fairly mediocre conclusion, turns the whole thing on its ear without resorting to the typical obvious twist.

Not content to rely on just straight shooting, Dagg takes things a step further by employing an erratic filming nature, but not to be edgy, or whatever they're calling it these days, but used sparingly to heighten the anxiety that Lake feels as he's on the run. As a Writer, he keeps the script down to the bare minimum...River is actually pretty short, at under 90 minutes...and moves the film along rapidly, firing obstacles and multiple worst-case scenarios at his lead. Consideration has to be given to the makeup/effects/wardrobe/whatever department as well, as Lake's appearance, level of disheveled-ness, and sweatstains grow more intense in conjunction with his flight. River is one of those films that shouldn't quite make it to the finish line as effectively as it does, but with Dagg at the helm, pulls the players to victory almost effortlessly.

Video/Audio/Extras:

Well Go USA brings River to Blu-ray in a 2.35:1 AVC-encoded transfer that looks wonderful, and takes advantage of the beautiful locations that it's filmed in. Blacks are deep and solid, saturation of colour is perfectly maintained, and detail is what it should be, with no artifacting or other issues.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is equally as effective, utilizing the surrounds in a way that enhances the film, rather than distracts from it. Dialogue is crisp and clear, balanced nicely with the rest of the soundstage, with the score weaving in and out beautifully.

English Subtitles are provided.

This release is, however, largely barebones, providing a trailer and a promo reel for other Well Go USA titles.

The Final Word:

A surprising first-feature effort, River is beautifully shot, well acted, and effectively written.

Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!