MovieChat Forums > The River Wild (1994) Discussion > The Dad

The Dad

posted 18 years ago by jarth-2
16 replies | jump to latest

The dad in this movie was way too wimpy. Also, Meryl Streep sucked, using some stupid voice. She didn't have that voice in Kramer vs. Kramer, so she must've did it for this movie. A totally crappy movie.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fass99 18 years ago

Well, I sure wouldn't want to risk getting killed by someone with a gun.

[–] Komadori 17 years ago

Well, I sure wouldn't want to risk getting killed by someone with a gun.

Echoed.

Not all men are violent, hardasses. Some guys are surprisingly gentle and easygoing. It was just part of his personality that he not be the butt-kicking superhero. I think his character was pretty impressive, actually. Despite his personality and the situation, he stuck with it and used his head.

[–] mplo (2305) 5 years ago

Good point, Komadori. The fact that Tom used his head and kept his cool during an extremely high-pressure situation is what saved him and his family's life. It goes to show that using one's head is often the best way to survive.

[–] Banky-4 17 years ago

Actually, that's one of the things I really liked about this movie, is that the Dad was a little wimpy, more of a typical suburban dad, how a lot of people would react in that situation. He tried (and ultimately succeeded) to protect his family, but was played in a fairly realistic fashion, I thought.

[–] Brynnda 17 years ago

<Actually, that's one of the things I really liked about this movie, is that the Dad was a little wimpy, more of a typical suburban dad, how a lot of people would react in that situation. He tried (and ultimately succeeded) to protect his family, but was played in a fairly realistic fashion, I thought. >

Agreed, Banky. He reminded me of my dad..the civil, level-headed type.

[–] tay-15 16 years ago

I agree, what makes this film work are the believable characters, including David Strathairn's performance as the Dad. In most films, the Dad would have gone completely Rambo, regardless of his background. Here, there's a more realistic transformation. I might compare it to Jon Voight's character in Deliverance - basically a milquetoast suburbanite thrust into horrifying circumsances - or maybe Dustin Hoffman in Straw Dogs, a nerdy mathematician pushed to the brink before he flips out.

Meryl Streep was fantastic here, I don't understand the comment about her either.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] ceciliaquick 7 years ago

I thought early on when he punched Wade to keep him from struggling when Tom rescued him from drowning, it was a hint that the dad was the silent but strong type. When Wade says "you didn't have to hit me" and Tom says "yes I did", that showed who he was. Polite, but didn't back down or whine.

[–] mplo (2305) 5 years ago

Agreed, Brynnda! The dad reminded me of my dad, as well--also the civil, level-headed, smart type.

[–] mplo (2305) 5 years ago

Yup. the Dad kept his cool. Otherwise, Wade and Terry would've more than likely killed him, or at least really beat the shit out of him.

[–] mplo (2305) 5 years ago

The Dad wasn't wimpy at all. He had the courage to remain levelheaded and keep his cool in a high-pressure, high-stress, and potentially life-threatening situation. Not many people would've done that.

[–] BoSoxRule 16 years ago

jarth, I'd love to see what you would do in his situation, tough guy.

I'm happiest...in the saddle.

[–] Stratego (29246) 5 years ago

Meryl Streep always has that nasal, whining, annoying voice.

[–] Faridah (1325) 4 years ago

I like the dad was he is portrayed too. Not all men are strong superhero types. As they say, some use their brains and not their fits.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Yeah but at the same time you should have some fight when your family is involved.