Watch Turn the River

Turn the River is a tense and emotional drama film from 2007, directed by Chris Eigeman and starring Famke Janssen, Jaymie Dornan, and Rip Torn. The movie tells the story of Kailey Sullivan, a pool hustler living in New York City, who is fighting to regain custody of her son from her abusive ex-husband. Famke Janssen gives a powerful performance as Kailey, a woman who has made numerous mistakes in her life but is determined to make things right for the sake of her son, Gulley. Jaymie Dornan plays Gulley, a smart and sensitive child who is caught in the middle of his parents’ bitter divorce. Rip Torn delivers a memorable performance as Kailey’s gruff but supportive mentor, Teddy.

The film opens with Kailey hustling a group of pool players in a seedy bar. She is interrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband, David, who threatens her and forces her to give him half of her earnings. Kailey realizes that she can no longer continue this lifestyle and decides to seek out Teddy, a former pool champion who once mentored her.

Teddy reluctantly agrees to help Kailey but warns her that she will need to raise $50,000 to win custody of her son in court. Kailey begins to build a new life for herself, taking a job at a restaurant and reconnecting with her estranged sister, Erin. However, her progress is threatened when David discovers her whereabouts and begins to harass her.

Kailey faces numerous challenges as she works towards her goal of winning custody of her son. She must navigate the demands of her job, the pressures of her relationship with Teddy, and the threat of David’s violent behavior. As the court date approaches, Kailey must come to terms with the mistakes of her past and prove to the judge that she is a fit mother.

Turn the River is a powerful film that explores themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption. The movie provides an unflinching portrayal of the struggles faced by those caught in the cycle of poverty and abuse. The performances by the cast are nuanced and moving, with Janssen giving a particularly raw and compelling performance as Kailey.

The film is well-paced, with a strong sense of tension that builds as the court date approaches. The cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the gritty reality of New York City and the beauty of the Hudson River.

Ultimately, Turn the River is a film about the strength of the human spirit and the lengths that we will go to protect those we love. It is a poignant and thought-provoking movie that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Turn the River is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 55.