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      Once Upon a River

      Released Oct 2, 2020 1 hr. 32 min. Drama TRAILER for Once Upon a River: Trailer 2 List
      69% 29 Reviews Tomatometer A girl must begin an unexpected odyssey on the Stark River to find her estranged mother after her father is killed in a tragic accident. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Mar 27 Buy Now

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      Once Upon a River

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      Once Upon a River

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      Critics Consensus

      Thinly characterized but beautifully filmed, Once Upon a River is a coming-of-age story that drifts on gently meditative currents.

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      Audience Member Unexpected drama that portrays real life events. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member IN A NUTSHELL: First-time director Haroula Rose shares a coming-of-age story about a fearless heroine in her drama, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Bonnie Jo Campbell.  Haroula Rose has a bright future in the film industry. The film has already won 17 awards in the film festival circuit!  TIPS FOR PARENTS: You see a girl in her underwear and later see her topless A mother walks away from her family. If you have children, assure them you're not going to leave them. You see a dead deer and some other animals that have been shot, along with pelts. A teenager drinks alcohol given to her by a predatory adult and then he "has his way with her." You see blood on a girl's underwear. Profanity and 2 F-bombs. Guns, shooting People die Starved for affection, the heroine is pretty promiscuous You see a visit to an abortion clinic THEMES: Destiny Infidelity Family Consequences Emotional connection Healing old wounds Dishonesty "You should live how you want." - Margo  (Kenadi DelaCerna) The importance of having good parents around Selfishness  THINGS I LIKED: Kenadi DelaCerna gives a wonderful breakthrough performance as a Native American teenager living in rural Michigan in the 1970s.  She sets off on the river alone to find her estranged mother and meets interesting characters along the way. The director gives us some little details that really help us understand where the teenager's mindset is. Some beautiful cinematography by Charlotte Hornsby. The film is shot with an insightful lens. The sound of the river was outstanding and ever-present.  Kudos to the sound department. Another round of kudos goes to the location management team.  What a fun job that must be. Sign me up! The music was not heavy-handed, offering just a touch of background every now and then. I like the title but think "The River Rose" could have been even more appropriate because I love double-meanings. THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There isn't much humor, although there are a few humorous characters that the protagonist meets along the way. It's full of sadness. While the story is about Margo, some viewers will just be bored or depressed by the story. Some viewers won't be satisfied with the ending. FUNNY LINES:  * "Open your eye!" - Brian says to his friend with an eye patch (Dominic Bogart) INTERESTING LINES: "You can go to the river to remember or you can go to the river to forget." - Margo (Kenadi DelaCerna) You can watch my full movie review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel. Thanks for subscribing! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Once Upon a River

      Once Upon a River: Trailer 2 Once Upon a River: Trailer 2 2:04 Once Upon a River: Trailer 1 Once Upon a River: Trailer 1 1:02 View more videos

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      Critics Reviews

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      Amber Wilkinson Times (UK) There is plenty of potential here but it's a shame we spend so much time simply following the surface trajectory of Margo's life rather than diving into its emotional depths. Rated: 3/5 May 25, 2021 Full Review Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Apart from the atmospheric wetland backdrop, the film's main asset is Kenadi DelaCerna, self-possessed and soulful in the role of the part Native American 15-year-old, Margo Crane. Rated: 3/5 May 9, 2021 Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian Mark Twain meets Winter's Bone in this slice of Americana from first-time feature director Haroula Rose. Rated: 3/5 May 4, 2021 Full Review Nicolás Delgadillo Discussing Film There's a good bit to admire in director Haroula Rose's debut feature, but the story's second half falls apart, and the remaining pieces don't end up feeling conclusive enough. Rated: 2 / 5 Jun 25, 2021 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...Once Upon A River fashionably elides some of the drama that might have made for a more intense watch, but it's still a darkly lyrical piece that commands attention for a fully-realised female lead... Rated: 3/5 May 7, 2021 Full Review Andrew Murray The Upcoming Despite the sizeable setback in the final act, Once Upon A River is an affectionate coming-of-age tale that showcases promising debuts from both its filmmaker and leading performer. Rated: 3/5 May 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A girl must begin an unexpected odyssey on the Stark River to find her estranged mother after her father is killed in a tragic accident.
      Director
      Haroula Rose
      Executive Producer
      Sue Berghoef, Sam Bisbee, Rhianon Jones, Ian Keiser
      Screenwriter
      Bonnie Jo Campbell
      Distributor
      Film Movement
      Production Co
      Thirty Tigers, Chicago Media Angels, Neon Heart Productions, Glass Bead Films
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 2, 2020, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Dec 30, 2020
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