Plot
A high school slacker kills his girlfriend and shows off her dead body to their friends. However, the friends' reaction is almost as ambiguous and perplexing as the crime itself.

Release Year: 1986

Rating: 7.0/10 (7,453 voted)

Director: Tim Hunter

Stars: Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye

Storyline
A group of high school friends must come to terms with the fact that one of them, Samson, killed another, Jamie. Reactions vary, as Layne is intent on protecting Samson and smuggling him out of the state, while others think it's best to go to the police. Matt's tough little brother also finds out about the body and no one knows quite how the police will learn about the murder or who will be blamed for it.

Cast:
Crispin Glover - Layne
Keanu Reeves - Matt
Ione Skye - Clarissa (as Ione Skye Leitch)
Daniel Roebuck - Samson 'John' Tollet
Dennis Hopper - Feck
Joshua John Miller - Tim (as Joshua Miller)
Roxana Zal - Maggie
Josh Richman - Tony
Phillip Brock - Mike
Tom Bower - Bennett
Constance Forslund - Madeleine
Leo Rossi - Jim
Jim Metzler - Mr. Burkewaite
Tammy Smith - Kim
Danyi Deats - Jamie

Taglines: The most controversial film you will see this year.

Release Date: 8 May 1987

Filming Locations: Arcade Enterprise, La Crescenta, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $1,900,000 (estimated)

Gross: $4,600,000 (USA)

Runtime: 99 min

Trivia:
Although it is a work of fiction, the movie was inspired by the actual murder of Marcy Conrad, who was killed by her boyfriend Anthony Jacques Broussard in Milpitas, California in 1981.

Goofs:
Continuity: When Layne and Samson are driving in the car together at night, the shadow of the rear-view mirror is visible on Samson's face. In the long shots, the shadow appears to have a cross hanging from it, but on the close-ups of Samson's face, there is no cross.

Quotes:
[first lines]
Checker: [points at legal age sign]
Samson: That's a real nice sign, how much.
Checker: I have to see ID.
Samson: I left it at home. How much?
Checker: I'm not going to sell you this unless you show me ID.

One of the saddest, most shocking and realistic stories you may ever see.

Rating: 9/10

River's edge is not a PLEASANT film to watch but it is an incredible one. Having viewed it many years ago I truly think it would still have the ability to shock were it to be re released or remade or something. Perhaps no movie ever made has captured the essense of young suburban inertia like this distrubing frightening movie. Given that this is based on a true story it is even more disturbing. Very well acted and just UNPLEASANT at many times to watch but also a little known masterpiece and a truely important film. Should be a mandatory to watch shown nationwide in all highschools. Fantastic.

Comments: