“The cruelest dream, reality”. . . a lyric from The Offspring’s iconic song that shares the same title as this article, speaks volumes to today’s feature. 1986’s River’s Edge, written by Neal Jimenez and directed by Tim Hunter, takes a bleak look at the lives of a group of teens growing up in northern California during the MTV generation.
Arguably holding a twisted link to Stand by Me, which was released the very same year, this holds the lens to older teens. . . focusing more on the Kiefer Sutherland character’s age group rather the tweens of that feature. A dual analysis could definitely reap some benefits.
Following wildcard leader Layne (Crispin Glover – a very different role just one year after Back to the Future), his right hand, Matt (Keanu Reeves – in his first year of acting in movies), and the rest of the gang, including flirty Clarissa (Ione Skye), chill Maggie (Roxana Zal), superficial druggie guitarist Tony (Josh Richman), hard working do-gooder Mike (Phillip Brock). . . Layne and Matt have learned that one of their circle, Samson ‘John’ Tollet (Daniel Roebuck) has killed another friend, his girlfriend Jamie (Danyi Deats).
Witnessed by Matt’s impressionable yet bullish younger brother Tim (Joshua John Miller), he has already fallen under the spell of the near psychopathic calm of killer John (often taking a ride with him and helping him with some of his tasks). Not remorseful or panicked, John then shows the body to Layne and Matt. . . the former immediately looking for a way to cover up the murder to keep his friend out of trouble, while the latter struggles with the moral quandary of the situation. Soon, the rest of the group are let in on the vexing secret. . . furthering the aberrant circle of trust.
In a world where adults have a rather chaotic impact on the youths they are raising (they argue, fight, and wield shotguns). . . that is, if they aren’t apathetic and disinterested in their kids’ lives, the only place Layne feels comfortable turning to is his drug dealer acquaintance, Feck (Dennis Hopper – at his feral best) – a man who lives with a blow-up doll (they love to slow dance) and hasn’t left his home in five long years (a murderer not looking to be found). Of course, you’re probably thinking what all of us are – it seems like he’ll be the calming voice of reason.
Cited at the time as the Rebel Without a Cause of the day, Hunter reveals the dark underbelly of teen life in the 80s. The values that once were have dissipated from their culture, heavy metal music and drugs the main form of entertainment. . . their parents preoccupied with their own pressing problems (it could be argued that Matt and Tim’s mom tries, but her life doesn’t allow her to succeed). Though these teens talk of escaping their futile existence in their hometown, this departure does not bring with it the hope or promise of a flourishing future that, in all reality, it should. A hazy form of apathy sits low on this locale. Almost echoing the above mentioned Offspring song, it seems like their following collective years will consist of drop outs, joblessness, drugs (and alcohol), suicide, as well as “fragile lives [and] shattered dreams”. It is a very bleak depiction, though, like any feature, it is not without some hope.
Despite the near constant peer pressure, Matt and Clarissa have their doubts about this whole situation. . . it is perhaps no surprise that they both like each other. In a world where ratting on your friends is considered the ultimate sin, the pair must decide whether it is more important to have an unburdened soul. . . or to fit into this dog eat dog, cutthroat world. And intriguingly, it is not only their peers that feel this way.
A character driven drama featuring strong performances from its young actors, River’s Edge is a dark, thought provoking teenage crime film that builds its tension to a breaking point. With an almost unyielding sense of dark predestination, that does not mean the narrative is predictable, but rather, only feels like no other outcome was possible once you finally get there. Some have even gone so far as to call it a horror movie. So, wake up and see this hidden gem of the 80s, it’s definitely worth a viewing.