The River Rat (1984)

Thanks for the memories!

How sad is this?

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's a shame that this movie has not made it to DVD. The 3 main characters are well cast and developed. I like the sensitive handling of the father's attempts to build a relationship with a daughter he has never known. Dennehy, whom I have seldom seen playing a villain, seems almost an incarnation of pure evil (shades of Cape Fear).I hope that,over time,it will get the recognition it deserves. It is an interesting example of a well-made film that isn't trying to be a blockbuster and shows the interesting alternative side to American film making.Great settings and a good soundtrack which I would like to have been able to purchase. It looks like a portrait of a way of life, with its close association with living on and beside the river, that has probably disappeared now. A simple tale,well told.

Jonsy is a pre-teen girl who lives by the Mississippi river with her grandmother. When her father Billy is released early from prison she tries to become close to him. However when Doc emerges from Billy's past looking for the money he stole things become more urgent.This is essentially the story of a father and daughter trying to bond after never being together. The story may take a more sinister turn as Doc takes them on a river journey to find the stolen money, but it's still a family drama for the most part. The family drama is well observed with good characters - only the boy Wexel comes across as a slight Southern stereotype. However Doc's introduction doesn't take away from this side, rather it adds a darker level involving murder, revenge and eventual redemption. But over all this it works as a nice, non-sentimental relationship drama.The film is the one that gave Martha Plimpton to the world and, while that may not be a good thing, she is good here - a child actress that isn't annoying. Also a pre-fame Tommy Lee Jones gives a strong performance as Billy who is slowly won over by fatherly concern for his daughter. Also giving a good show is Brian Dennehy (long before he started specialising in TV movies about crooked cops), here his bad guy slowly develops a tragic feel about him - just as his poison ivy wounds develop more to entrap him.The film is a clever relationship drama with a grisly edge to it. It's worth watching for it's simplicity and for it's good performances. Don't expect a masterpiece but it's a refreshing little drama.

When convicted felon Billy McCain gets paroled from the big house, his troubles are far from over. A sinister man wants to get his hands on the stash that Billy supposedly hid away before doing his stint in the gray bar hotel. Is the money there or was it destroyed before Billy ever got caught? Can Billy and his daughter escape the clutches of this evil person and live happily ever after? Will Mighty Mouse never come!!?? To find out go see this excellent film which shows the power of love, the ugliness of greed, and the joy of repentance.

I was only 2 years old when this movie was made but I watched a few years later then I understood it, probably the reason I like this movie because it was made here in my home state of Kentucky, but thats not the main reason I like this movie, I also like it because its got action and Drama in it, I love action and drama movies. If any of you are big fans of Tommy Lee Jones then you should see this movie because it is one of his best.