The River Wild

“Rafting expert Gail Hartman (Streep) is planning something very special for her son’s birthday: a multi-day rafting trip down a mountain river in Idaho with the whole family. (…) On the way, they meet Wade (Kevin Bacon) and his friend Terry (John C. Reilly), two inexperienced rafters who have been let down by their guide. Gail offers her help and takes the two men along in the boat. But this is soon to prove a grave mistake …” (filmstarts.de)

“Meryl Streep in an action film is certainly a surprise, but in this case a very good one. (…) The film explores the American trauma: the innocent nuclear family caught in the clutches of gangsters, forced to fight for their lives in a seemingly hopeless situation. Set against the stunning scenic backdrop of Oregon, nature is skilfully used as a source of tension. The outstanding dramatic structure succeeds in repeatedly weaving new climaxes into the fast-paced plot, whilst at the same time leaving room for the interpersonal relationships that Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon, in particular, develop with impressive intensity.” (DFMB)