River – Review

Ah, Laos, just where any non-citizen wants to get into serious trouble. We are introduced to the scenic jungles, as well as the wildlife of the surrounding setting with the first few shots before being driven through town quickly in an ambulance headed toward the volunteer doctor, John Lake (Sutherland). He is seeing all the patients he can, and giving help as possible. Some are more successful than others, as unfortunately an incoming emergency patient in the makeshift medical van is in seriously bad shape.

Despite Dr. Stephanie Novella (Botsford) calling time of death during operations, Lake keeps trying to bring his patient back during surgery despite contrary evidence of life. She is not pleased, and wants her clinic run her way, despite his valiant efforts. Deciding his time at this location is running short he heads around the country for a bit, resting, reconciling life and deciding his next move.

As he stays near the Mekong River in a small room, he decides to hit up hit local bar one night after a long day. He drinks beers, reads and relaxes. He notices two Australian men hitting up local girls, getting handsy and feeding them a plethora of booze. He advises the men that the girls have probably had enough, and to stop forcing more on them. Maybe the girls have had enough.

The Aussie men are only so receptive to the advice. They wind up walking off with the girls into the night. John takes a few shots and asks the barkeep about the men. They’ve been there a week and are noisy. After settling up and talking to the barkeep, the drunk John stumbles home towards his bed.

However… something has happened on his way home, as we next see a bruised, bloodied and very stressed man entering his abode. Quick flashes show while heading home, John bumped into one of the Aussie men again, Lachlan (Gillett). Something bad has happened.

As stress, trauma and tension builds, we find out what happened that night on John’s walk home, as well as his attempt to decide what to do now. The walls start closing in, and the American doctor must decide what to do when stuck in a foreign land and having done something wrong, even if for a noble reason and trying to stop an assault.

River was just good enough to warrant a watch if you are down for the plot. It will not blow you away, but brings enough thrill and tension to the table for those wanting to go on the journey. It moves slower at times, however is a short film in general, so give the Mekong River a shot.