Abel Grey investigates the death of a boy whose body was found floating in a river; fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide, but Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiatio... Read allAbel Grey investigates the death of a boy whose body was found floating in a river; fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide, but Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiation went horribly wrong.Abel Grey investigates the death of a boy whose body was found floating in a river; fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide, but Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiation went horribly wrong.
Photos
- Harry McKenna
- (as Jamie King)
- Young Abel
- (as David Maclean)
- Robbie
- (as Jeff Wright)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAll entries contain spoilers
- GoofsAfter pulling Gus' body from the river, Abel and Joey's boots and pants are perfectly dry. It would've been impossible for them to pull the body from the river without at least getting their boots and pant legs wet.
- Quotes
Harry McKenna: [notices Carlin is wearing Gus's old coat] You can't wear that.
Carlin Leander: You're telling me what I can and cannot do?
- ConnectionsReferenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)
- SoundtracksHow Will I Sleep?
Written by Lee Rogers
Performed by Lee Rogers
Published by Zenith Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of Zenith Cafe Ltd.
The possible reason for its lack of attention may have been due to some test screenings where the audience was asked to evaluate. Despite all of the fine points of the film the problem lies in the screen adaptation by David Kane of the haunting novel by Alice Hoffman. Too many loose ends do not a story make and in the final analysis it is difficult to converse with someone who has not seen the film just what it is about.
Ostensibly, THE RIVER KING is about a private prep school out in the snowy fields of somewhere, a place where secret societies still haze, faculty are still under the control of the school's funders, and appearances are far more important than truths. Abel (Edward Burns) is called in to investigate the found drowned body of a student, and with his partner (John Kapelos) the two detectives suspect foul play - suicide, murder, hazing. Their investigation includes questioning the victim's only friend Carlin (Rachelle Lefevre) and one photography and English Lit teacher Betsy (Jennifer Ehle). But as the investigation proceeds, Abel has flashbacks to his childhood memories of his own older brother's suicide, dark secrets that have haunted him, and it is this psychic matrix which serves as the canvas for him to resolve the case as well as to relate to the various characters within the confines of the prep school.
Many of the questions raised by the narrative remain unanswered by this frustrating script, but the actors bring as much involvement and credibility as they are able to create a film of mystery and self-realization in the snow and ice of the fields around the school. For those who wish more, reading Hoffman's novel will be more satisfying. Grady Harp
- gradyharp
- Feb 11, 2006
- How long is The River King?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $16,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1