The River

The River' (1951) marked a significant point in the career of Jean Renoir, who, at that point, was struggling to make films he was happy with despite being regarded by many as an established master of the director's art. He had moved to Hollywood in 1940 having already made such acclaimed films as 'La Grande Illusion', but struggled with the 'professionalism' he found there, by which the space he had habitually allowed actors to interpret their roles was constricted by studio forces.

The choice of 'The River' was inspired by Powell and Pressburger's luxuriant classic 'Black Narcissus' (1947), which was based on a novel by the same author – Rumer Godden - as was 'The River'. 'The River' gave Renoir the opportunity to work in the vibrant setting of India, and while the story of insecure expatriate girls falling for a wounded American airman is diverting enough, the real fascination lies in Renoir's presentation of his subject – a combination of naturalistic, even documentary-like scenes, contrasting with an attention to colour that is almost abstract in its boldness and impact. [RJ Thompson]