With this drama/crime thriller about a famously reclusive mystery writer isolated in the desert outside Santa Fe NM, first time writer/director Jason DeBoer crafted a film that's about narrative, even as he's given us a ripping good story of his own.
Working from a nuanced and literate script, DeBoer gets the best out of his actors. Especially the three leads, but all the way down the cast list too. Stacey Robbins in her one scene almost steals the show. Fine ensemble work.
The evocative music score by Tim Foljahn is reminiscent of Ry Cooder's best film work, while not sounding derivative. 'Dead River' makes fine use of its locations. The rural desert landscape in particular becomes a background character, seeming to invite a sort of cultural madness. A few creative edits and other such along the way help make things feel unsettled.
What really worked for me about 'Dead River' is that without resorting to cheap tricks DeBoer, his cast and crew maintain a growing sense of dread. That's hard to do. Then they bring all that unsettlement to bear on a satisfying narrative conclusion, which is harder.
With the literate script propelling its good cast thorough a crisp running time, 'Dead River' made for excellent viewing. Looking forward to what DeBoer does next.
