River of Grass
dir. Kelly Reichardt · 1995
Life can lead to unexpected choices that reveal deeper desires and the search for meaning.
"River of Grass" invites viewers into a hauntingly melancholic journey where a moment of spontaneity spirals into a profound exploration of isolation and moral ambiguity. Set against the backdrop of suburban Florida, Kelly Reichardt's debut film captures the beauty and despair of fleeting human connections.
Cozy, a dissatisfied housewife, meets Lee at a bar. A drink turns into a home break-in, and a gunshot sends them on the run together, thinking they've committed murder.
Full synopsisspoilers
Near the Everglades, the "river of grass," lives Cozy (named for her father's favorite drummer), lonely, in a loveless marriage, ignoring her kids. She fantasizes being a dancer, an acrobat, and a gymnast. One night at a bar she meets Lee. He's jobless, homeless, and unbeknownst to Cozy, is in possession of her father's handgun.
Dad's a cop and lost the gun chasing a robber. Cozy and Lee climb a fence to swim in a pool. Playing around with the gun, they think they kill the pool's owner, so they go on the lam. An odd partnership develops even though they're short on ideas. But how can they escape their barren lot if they don't even have a quarter for the road toll?
