Search - White Mile on DVD

Superior drama with top-notch action sequences

LGwriter | Astoria, N.Y. United States | 09/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Boasting one of Alan Alda's best performances, this HBO made-for-cable film has an intelligent script, strong dialogue, and excellent acting by all cast members. Based on a true incident, the horrific drowning of several members of a corporate sortie to the treacherous Chilko River for white water rafting, the pacing here is flawless. The writer, Michael Butler, and the director, Robert Butler (related?) have fashioned a seamlessly powerful work that hits the viewer right between the eyes.

Alda's character, Dan Cutler, is a callous, ruthless corporate type who, without question, still exists. One of the top honchos at a prestigious ad agency, he is constantly egging on his subordinates to push themselves, to feel life in their gut and their private parts. He organizes the sortie and in essence bullies both ad agency execs and VIPs from two clients into doing the white water rafting which starts off well, then escalates into a terrible set of events.

The rafting footage is absolutely spectacular; tremendous credit should go to the cinematographer here. This makes the story truly believable; you really feel it when things go horribly wrong.

The endpiece, a courtroom trial, is, in a way, tacked on, but still delivers the goods. See this for Alda's amazing performance. One would think after watching this film that Alda actually IS like this in person; his performance is that believable. Peter Gallagher is also excellent, but this is really Alda's show and what a show it is. He is astoundingly good.

Highly recommended."

Very true to the actual events

Elizabeth A. Rogers | Florida | 01/27/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was one of the lawyers for the plaintiff in the lawsuit. I saw the movie several years after the trial, and found it to be an accurate depiction of the facts and events that took place. An amazing story and very tragic."

Cinematic Masterpiece of Whitewater

David Cline | 12/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Think Citizen Kane on the river. Solid acting but the whitewater stunts are not the run of the mill Hollywood. Those guys led by Bryan "River Dog" Koelzer, who sat in the middle of the raft without a paddle, really make this movie special. This movie was voted the top 5 whitewater films of all time by Paddler magazine. If you don't own a copy you are will never reach complete enlightenment."

Well-Made Film In All Respects.

rsoonsa | Lake Isabella, California | 11/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work relates, speaking in broad terms, a narrative (based upon a true story) of a group of executives that is pressured into taking part in a whitewater raft trip, during which an unfortunate incident occurs. A subsequent lawsuit which addresses the incident completes a good portion of the film. The entire production wants nothing, as all involved perform at a high level. The scenario, by Michael Butler, is stripped neatly to its essence, and immediately engages the viewer with its combination of visceral excitement, suspense, and character development. The direction by the veteran Robert Butler is precise and enhanced by the splendidly balanced casting. Alan Alda gives his finest performance, softly creating a characterization which fascinates as it develops. Among other cast members, Peter Gallagher, Bruce Altman, and Robert Loggia offered nary a flaw in this seamless tale. The scenes immediately leading to, and including, the actual raft trip are enthralling as a test of strength between Alda's character and his companions, a test that reveals varying moral sensibilities. Editing, in a film reflecting issues of larger scope than are commonly seen, provides an important framework; here, a linear structure is created and moves smartly. The cinematography and lighting, under the aegis of Lloyd Ahern II, can be enthusiastically endorsed (with a wide range of scena) as a standard to be envied. The score by Pray For Rain, refreshingly non-DJ, implies applicable emotion neatly and nicely throughout this interesting and beautifully balanced motion picture. An obviously high level of preparation by all involved bring forth one of the finest films of the 90s.

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