Today I saw "The River's Edge" for the first time, never having heard of it before, but already it is one of my favorite Anthony Quinn films. A few reviewers were surprised by Ray Milland as the cold-heart criminal on the run, but they should view "Dial M for Murder" of 1954, in which Milland is a disenchanted husband who wants to murder his innocent and ever-so-proper wife, portrayed by Grace Kelly. After seeing "Dial M, " no one should be shocked at the depths to which Milland can go when cast as the cold and calculating embodiment of evil.
Some reviewers also questioned how a young woman, portrayed by Debra Paget, could be attracted to the 50-something character portrayed by Milland. However, the reviewer should remember that the young woman must have been insecure to serve as the thief's partner in crime and that, as a result, she had done time in prison. Perhaps she had a father fixation and was attracted to older men, especially if the men had money, even stolen money. Throughout the film she is torn between her recent marriage to a rancher, portrayed by Anthony Quinn, who has given her hope for a future, and the former partner in crime, portrayed by Milland, who represents her sordid past and sets out to blackmail her.
I agree the film is something like "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," another of my favorite movies. I am glad to know "The River's Edge" is available on DVD so that I can see it again.
Some reviewers also questioned how a young woman, portrayed by Debra Paget, could be attracted to the 50-something character portrayed by Milland. However, the reviewer should remember that the young woman must have been insecure to serve as the thief's partner in crime and that, as a result, she had done time in prison. Perhaps she had a father fixation and was attracted to older men, especially if the men had money, even stolen money. Throughout the film she is torn between her recent marriage to a rancher, portrayed by Anthony Quinn, who has given her hope for a future, and the former partner in crime, portrayed by Milland, who represents her sordid past and sets out to blackmail her.
I agree the film is something like "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," another of my favorite movies. I am glad to know "The River's Edge" is available on DVD so that I can see it again.