122. River; movie review

 

RIVER

Cert U

72 mins

BBFC advice: Contains upsetting scenes

I doubt we will see a movie with more dramatic cinematography than River during all of 2022.

Jennifer Peedom's film traverses six continents to show the massive impacts of natural waterways and how man's attempt to control them could ultimately end in disaster.

It shows how rivers have shaped landscapes over millions of years and how vital they have been to the development of our major cities.

Via incredible camerawork, including satellite filming, it shows rivers from perspectives never seen before. Their colours are mesmerising.

The images are accompanied by Willem Dafoe's languid narration and evocative music by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Peedom's movie gives a clear environmental message - that we mess with nature at our peril.

It reflects on how trying to control wild water flow can have a detrimental effect on the many while being of benefit to the very few.

But, while its images of plastic clogging up waterways will live long in the memory, the film doesn't use a sledgehammer to nail its message.

And it offers a slither of positivity with its denouement which, given the beauty which had gone before, is something of a relief.

Reasons to watch: Fascinating and outstanding imagery

Reasons to avoid: Slightly too poetic

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Only one country in the world has no river - Vatican City.

The final word. Writer Robert Macfarlane: “A river is an easily injured, even easily killed, thing. There’s that WH Auden line from 1953: ‘A culture is no better than its woods’. Right now, it feels like a culture is no better than its rivers." The Guardian

 

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