Original in its sincere, lyrical realism, The River is a naturalistic melodrama otherwise characteristic of the period. Shot in sunbathed pastoral locations by Jan Stallich (Ecstasy), the story of first love between a sturdy village boy and a country girl is filmed with a movingly genuine charm. An excellent cast of uncomplicated characters-believable country people possessed of a natural charm-embody this bittersweet reflection over life's what-ifs.