Across the River

Author(s): Chris M.
Location: NJ

"Across the River"

Produced by Jonathan Demme
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Written by Bo Goldman
Based on the 1988 Etienne Chatiliez’s film “La vie est un long fleuve Tranquille”

Main Cast
Hugh Grant as Conrad Darling
Emma Thompson as Judith Darling
Tyler Hoechlin as Landon Darling
Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lahey
Elisabeth Perkins as Margery Lahey
John Patrick Amedori as Sean Lahey
Christina Ricci as Nurse Carol
Matt Dillon as Dr. Foster

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: On Thanksgiving, 1989, at New York Presbyterian hospital, two women gave birth to sons. A nurse, named Carol is very upset because she has just found out that her obstetrician lover, Dr. Foster, is going to spend Thanksgiving with his wife and children instead of her. During her fit of hysteria she ends up accidentally switching the two infants shortly after delivery. Carol thinks she might have made a mistake but does not tell anyone because the children look so similar. Eighteen years later, Carol, on her deathbed, confesses to Dr. Foster, who in turn must contact the two families. The elitist, upper- class Darlings found out that their precious little boy has grown up across the Hudson River with the uncivilized, lower class Laheys. Horrified by how their child has lived, the Darlings decide to bring their son, Sean, back into their sheltered home; the Laheys agree, but for a fee. Sean's habits, however, are deeply ingrained; meanwhile the son the Darling’s have raised as their own, Landon, who begins to ponder curiosities about his real parents; and all hell breaks loose at the Darlings Manhattan Brownstone. Sean's arrival causes havoc among the upright, uptight Darlings and creates a link between the two socially opposite families.

What the Press would say:
“Across the River”, is, as everybody has been saying, the funniest movie in years. There are some filmmakers who can literally get away with anything, say anything, do anything, and people will let them. “Across the River” is a crazed grab-bag of a movie that does everything to keep us laughing. Jonathan Demme and Bo Goldman, the Oscar winning team behind “Melvin & Howard” reunite to create one of the most memorable comedies in years. This duo will be too tough to forget come nomination time, creating a lasting impression in the minds of whoever sees the film. “Across the River’s” comedy, performances, and insights are all dead-on perfect. The comedic team of Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, as the wealthy elitist Darlings is wonderful. Emma Thompson has the stand out performance as the matriarch, Judith Darling, an aging socialite who learns that the son she has been raising for the past eighteen years really belongs to a gross, small time criminal family from New Jersey. She is hysterical and will be too hard to be ignored when nominations are announced. Dennis Quaid and Elisabeth Perkins turn in career best performances in their supporting roles as the Laheys. They are brilliant as the disgusting, lower class criminals who continually come up with new ways to scam the government, and parents who care more about money than the welfare of their own child. Nominations for Quaid and Perkins seem like a very strong possibility. Watch out for young actors John Patrick Amedori and Tyler Hoechlin as the children separated at birth. John Patrick Amedori, plays Sean, and delivers a terrific performance in his spookier-than-thou turn as the demented long lost son. Tyler Hoechlin plays Landon Darling and delivers a performance that matches his stunning debut in “Road to Perdition.” Hoechlin will likely be recognized for his strong work as a son who struggles to suppress his curiosity about his biological parents even though he knows they are terrible people. He brings the heart to this film. This is the one film you must see this season; it certainly is the most talked about.

For Your Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director – Jonathan Demme
Best Actress – Emma Thompson
Best Supporting Actor – Dennis Quaid
Best Supporting Actor - John Patrick Amedori
Best Supporting Actor – Tyler Hoechlin
Best Supporting Actress – Elisabeth Perkins
Best Adapted Screenplay – Bo Goldman