Down River eentres on the relationship between a proverbial mother hen Pearl (Helen Shaver) and three younger women in her apartment building: actor Fawn (Gabrielle Miller, Corner Gas), visual artist Aki (Jennifer Spence), and musician Harper (Colleen Rennison).
The film goes back and forth between their individual stories. Fawn feels like she has to choose between a TV show and her fiance. Aki has to deal with a domineering father and getting notice for her paintings. Harper is working on getting her songs recorded.
Men are at the forefront of these women's lives. Fawn with her fiance and potential director on the TV series; Aki with her father and the art gallery owner; and Harper using a guy to afford the steps to further her career. Though Harper is also dealing with her ex girlfriend who comes back into the picture.
We know less about Pearl. She loves to swim in the open water. Pearl also has a significant pain in her back.
Down River has the feel of U.S. independent films from the 1990s (a good thing) in that the stories have connection yet can be viewed as separate stories. Being actual actors, they can relate well to the frustrations of these characters.
The stories are uncomfortable at times but the writing makes you pull for all 4 women. The more we learn about Pearl, the more we understand her motivations.
I didn't look at or think about the writer and director. Was a bit surprised to learn a guy (Benjamin Ratner) wrote and directed the film. The film was reportedly created as an homage to Canadian actor Babz Chula, whom you might remember from her roles in Canadian films such as My American Cousin, American Boyfriends, Live Bait, and Last Wedding.
The advice scenes near the end of the 2013 film feel a bit hokey, almost like they summarized the film we just saw. I found myself disagreeing vehemently with one piece of advice, which made for an interesting twist in the storytelling.
The film is definitely Vancouver but like Vancouver with no makeup and its hair pulled up.
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Your humble narrator finds these types of women stories to be intriguing so I might like the film more than you would. Love the intimacy and not so well lit interior scenes. Canadian films get teased for not looking like a Hollywood film but this film benefits from the realistic portrayal. Life is not always well lit.
The film is well-written and goes at a solid pace. The characters feel real and you ride their roller coaster.
Rennison received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Molly for Best Original Song at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards.
Down River is available on Tubi in the United States.
video and photo credit: Down River
