Rachel River

Rachel River
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sandy Smolan
Written by	Judith Guest
Based on	Letters From the Country byCarol Bly
Produced by	Timothy Marx
Starring	Pamela Reed Viveca Lindfors Željko Ivanek James Olson Craig T. Nelson
Cinematography	Paul Elliott
Edited by	Susan R. Crutcher
Music by	Arvo Part
Distributed by	Taurus Entertainment Company
Release dates	September 17, 1987(1987-09-17)(Toronto) January 20, 1989(1989-01-20)(United States)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.2 million

Rachel Riveris a 1987dramafilm directed bySandy Smolanand written byJudith Guest.It is inspired byLetters From the Country,a collection of short stories byCarol Bly.The film centers on the residents of a small northernMinnesotatown. It starsPamela Reed,Viveca Lindfors,Željko Ivanek,James Olson,andCraig T. Nelson.The film premiered at theToronto International Film Festivaland was given a limited theatrical release on January 20, 1989.

Plot

The film follows various townspeople in the small, predominantlyScandinaviancommunity of Rachel River in northern Minnesota. Mary Graving, an independent, unattached young woman, works for a weekly radio show. She is also a single mother who worries about not being able to provide for her children. Mary must contend with the advances of several local men, including ex-husband Cordell; Jack, a funeral director; and Marlyn, the deputy sheriff.

Meanwhile, Harriet White, the stoic wife of a farmer, bravely confronts the impending death of her husband. Momo, a developmentally disabled man, may know the truth to rumors that a horde of cash was hidden on the property of Svea Estava, a recently deceased townswoman.

Cast

• Pamela Reedas Mary Graving
• Viveca Lindforsas Harriet White
• Željko Ivanekas Momo
• James Olsonas Jack Canon
• Craig T. Nelsonas Marlyn Huutula
• Richard Jenkinsas Cordell
• Jo Hendersonas Estona
• Alan Northas Beske
• Richard Riehleas Merv
• Nick Benedictas Christopher Burnette

Production

The film was a longtime passion project forSandy Smolan.He first got the idea for the film in 1983 after moving toMoose Lake,Minnesota from New York for a job and wanting to do a feature about the community where he lived.For a few years, he could not envision what the story would be about until he remembered he was givenLetters From the Country,a short story collection written byCarol Blyshortly before leaving New York. The stories happened to be set in the Moose Lake area.He decided to adapt it and was able to getJudith Guest,author of the novelOrdinary Peopleand a Minnesotan, to write the script.Financing was a prolonged process involving grants from theCorporation for Public BroadcastingandPBS'sAmerican Playhouse.In 1984 and 1985, Smolan was invited to present his concept for the film at theSundance Institute.The film was the recipient of the first ever Sundance/Panavision Filmmaker Grant, which provided the production with aPanaflex camera.

Filming took place over 30 days in November 1986,with post-production completed in August 1987.The budget was $1.2 million (equivalent to $3.34 million in 2023).

Release

The film had its world premiere at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 17, 1987.Thereafter, it played the film festival circuit, including the 1988 Sundance Film Festival,Berlin Film Festival,and theSeattle International Film Festival.

A year after its Toronto premiere, the film secured a distribution deal with Taurus Entertainment Company, a specialty unit ofUnited Artists.It was given a limited theatrical release on January 20, 1989.

The film was later broadcast onAmerican Playhouse.

Critical reception

Kevin Thomasof theLos Angeles Timesgave a positive review in which he praised the performances of Lindfors and Reed.He concluded,

What distinguishes 'Rachel River' from most other independent American films is not only its ensemble portrayals under the spare and rigorous direction of Sandy Smolan, a documentary film maker in his feature debut. It also boasts appropriately austere images, captured by cinematographerPaul Elliottand its exceptionally rich and evocative score, composed by the distinctive New Age composerArvo Part.The contrast between the way 'Rachel River'...looks and the way its sounds expresses perfectly the difference between the faces its people try to present to the world and what’s going on behind them.

Spirituality & Practicealso praised the film, writing "Rachel Riveris a magical movie about the emotional education of adults in a world of mysteries which have no name and of little things that people are reluctant to talk about, such as vague longings, roving fears, and unfulfilled dreams. "

Awards

The film won the Excellence in Cinematography Award Dramatic for Paul Elliott and a Special Jury Prize for Acting for Viveca Lindfors at the 1988Sundance Film Festival.

External links

• Rachel RiveratIMDb
• Rachel RiveratRotten Tomatoes
• Rachel RiveratBox Office Mojo