The River (1951)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The River (1951) – J. Renoir

Renoir’s take on Rumer Godden’s novel is part colonialist  narrative and part documentary footage of the real India (Bengal) of the time. To me, it is an uneasy blend – but in glorious color.  The film is narrated by Godden’s adult alter-ego but she recounts her early adolescence and the arrival of a disabled ex-soldier who was her first crush.  He is the American cousin of a British man next door who had taken an Indian wife (now deceased) and raised a multi-racial daughter.  The film reflects on her status as one who doesn’t belong anywhere but her angst is not very palpable nor is the treatment of her by others very negative -- so Renoir doesn’t hit this theme very hard.  Instead, the mood is more of an extended reverie on childhood and its events; there is one great fantasy scene told by Godden’s stand-in Harriet who is a budding writer.  In this scene, there is birth, a wedding, and rebirth plus Indian music and dance.  The film also includes death in the endless cycle that mimics the river’s flow.  All things must pass, including this moment in time (for both India and the characters in the story).