The River King

Abel Grey is sent to investigate the death of a boy from an exclusive local school, who is found floating in the river. Fearing scandal, the school insists it was suicide. But after discovering from the boy's girlfriend, Carlin, that he was being badly bullied, Abel suspects that a dangerous schoolboy initiation has gone horribly wrong and he secretly solicits the help of a sympathetic teacher, Betsy. He is warned off the investigation by his boss, as the school is a generous benefactor to the Police benevolent fund. Abel, however, cannot let the case go, not only because his own brother committed suicide years before, but also it seems that the spirit of the dead boy is leaving them clues as to what really happened that night.

***Mysterious winter death at an exclusive prep school in the Northeast*** A 17 year-old student (Thomas Gibson) from the prestigious Haddan School is found frozen in the nearby river. The school wants to avoid negative press by quickly closing the case as a suicide, but police officer Abel Grey (Edward Burns) smells something fishy and considers the possibility of a hazing gone wrong. Rachelle Lefevre plays a friend of the dead student while Jamie Thomas King appears as his rival for her affections. Jennifer Ehle is on hand as an engaged teacher at the school that captures Abel’s attention as he’s investigating. "The River King" (2005) is a drama/mystery that takes the setting of “Dead Poets Society” (1989), albeit in the modern day, and adds elements seen in later films, like “Snow Angels” (2007), “Coming Through the Rye” (2015) and “The Drowning” (2016). If you favor these types of films you’ll appreciate this one. While not on the level of “Dead Poets” and “Snow Angels,” it’s not too far behind. Burns is a Ben Affleck lookalike and makes for a quality protagonist while Ehle is reminiscent of a young Meryl Streep. Of course, Lefevre is jaw-dropping from beginning to end. The winter setting of the school, the surrounding woods and nearby town is a highlight. Meanwhile the story is realistic and intricate without being convoluted. There’s a love affair that completely smacks of reality. Everything gels, including the end revelation and how it relates to Abel’s haunting past and current burdens. The film runs 1 hour, 39 minutes and was shot in Nova Scotia, Canada (Halifax & Windsor). GRADE: B+/B