Suspicious River

Canadian writer-director Lynne Stopkewich and actress Molly Parker won critical raves for their 1996 film Kissed, about a young woman with a curious predilection for necrophilia, but Suspicious River, another attempt to attract controversy with risky subject matter, is a surprisingly ill-conceived disappointment. This time, Stopkewich and Parker (whose boldness is surely refreshing, if not always appealing) take on the issue of child abuse and how it manifests itself in adulthood. In the case of Parker's character--a young married woman who works at the reception desk of a quiet, roadside motel--her traumatic past has lead her to masochistic submission to late-night drifters and unsavory guests who welcome the prostitute-like behavior she employs to test the boundaries of sexual pain and pleasure. A rambling, unfocused, and pedestrian effort (especially in its inclusion of a voyeuristic little girl who turns out to be--no surprise here--Parker's character at a younger age), Suspicious River is ultimately a rather boring and unpleasant film that offers little insight into sadomasochistic behavior. Not recommended. (J. Shannon)