Watch Across the River

Across the River is an independent drama film released in 2016. The movie deals with a sensitive topic of mental illness and how it can affect a family. It is a story of a mother who battles with the demons of her past and present, while also trying to save her son from a similar fate. The film is set in a scenic countryside in the United Kingdom, where Claire (played by Elizabeth Healey), a loving mother of two, is struggling to hold her family together. Her husband has left her, and her teenage son Joe (played by Keir Charles), is showing signs of mental instability. Claire suffers from depression and anxiety, which stems from a traumatic event in her past that is slowly revealed throughout the movie. She finds it hard to connect with her son, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and struggles to get him the help he needs.

Joe, who is a talented musician, starts to exhibit unusual behavior, which worsens over the course of the movie. He becomes violent, paranoid and hostile to his mother, blaming her for everything that is going wrong in his life. Claire, being a concerned mother, decides to take him away to a secluded cabin by a river to try and reconnect with him. However, this only leads to more chaos, as Joe's condition deteriorates, and he starts to experience hallucinations and delusions.

As the story progresses, Claire meets a local farmer named Adam (played by Liz Richardson), who helps her deal with her own trauma and supports her through her son's illness. Adam is a calming presence in Claire's life, and the two bond over their shared experiences. She also reconnects with her estranged husband, who tries to help her in any way he can.

The movie is a beautiful portrayal of the struggles of mental illness and how it affects not just the person suffering from it but also everyone around them. It is a slow-paced movie, and the focus is on the relationship between the mother and the son, who are trying to navigate a world that is becoming increasingly difficult for them to understand. The film portrays the harsh realities of schizophrenia and how it can drive a wedge between families.

The performances in the movie are exceptional, with Elizabeth Healey delivering a powerful and emotional portrayal of a mother who is trying her best to keep her family together. Keir Charles, who plays the troubled teen, is outstanding in his portrayal of a young man struggling with his own demons. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and their performances drive the movie forward.

The cinematography in Across the River is breathtaking, with beautiful landscapes and serene views of the river, adding to the melancholic tone of the movie. The music, composed by Dan Jones, is equally haunting and melancholic, adding to the overall atmosphere of the movie.

In conclusion, Across the River is a beautiful yet heartbreaking movie that deals with a topic that is often swept under the rug. It offers a glimpse into the struggles of mental illness and how it affects families trying to cope with it. The movie is slow-paced, but it is the relationship between the mother and son that makes it a compelling watch. It is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the harsh realities of schizophrenia and the toll it takes on the people dealing with it.

Across the River is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.