River of Grass

River of Grass

Year: 1995

Runtime: 76 min

Language: English

Director: Kelly Reichardt

Drama

This darkly comedic drama explores disaffected youth and the challenges of growing up in southern Florida. Following the characters Cozy and Lee, the film portrays their search for meaning as they navigate the suburban landscape. Shot on 16mm, it’s a poignant look at aimlessness and the complexities of transitioning into adulthood, revealing a unique perspective on finding one's place.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen River of Grass yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – River of Grass (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of River of Grass (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting the modern challenges and social dynamics of ordinary life. It explores themes of dissatisfaction and ennui that resonate with many individuals in today's society.

Location

Florida

The movie takes place in Florida, known for its warm climate and vibrant culture. It serves as a backdrop for Cozy and Lee's unexpected adventures. From bar scenes to the open road, Florida's landscapes represent a mix of leisure and criminality.

🏝️ Tropical 🚗 Road Trip

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:37

Main Characters – River of Grass (1995)

Meet the key characters of River of Grass (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cozy

Cozy is a dissatisfied housewife in her thirties who yearns for excitement and meaning in her life. Despite her initial thrill-seeking, she struggles with a sense of ennui and moral ambiguity, leading to impulsive decisions that drive the film's conflict. Her character represents the conflict between duty and desire.

👩‍👧‍👦 Motherhood 😔 Dissatisfaction

Lee

Lee is an immature and aimless deadbeat who becomes Cozy's partner in adventure. His lack of ambition and repeated hesitations illustrate the struggle between fantasy and reality, as he pulls Cozy into a world of potential crime while being notably cowardly about committing serious acts. His character serves as a catalyst for Cozy's transformative journey.

🌪️ Recklessness 😬 Ambivalence

Jimmy

Jimmy, Cozy's father and a crime scene investigator, reflects the tone of disillusionment and frustration. His own struggles, including being suspended from work, emphasize the generational themes of dissatisfaction and the absurdity of their circumstances. His character adds a layer of family dynamics to the narrative.

👨‍👧 Family 💼 Work Struggles

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:37

Major Themes – River of Grass (1995)

Explore the central themes of River of Grass (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔫 Desperation

Desperation is a prevalent theme in 'River of Grass,' as Cozy seeks excitement and meaning outside her mundane life. Her encounters with Lee lead her down a path of reckless decisions, showcasing how quickly one can spiral into chaos. The narrative explores the lengths people will go to escape their reality.

🎭 Identity

The theme of identity plays a crucial role as Cozy grapples with her sense of self as a mother and a wife. The film portrays her struggle to reconnect with her desires and ambitions, framing her journey as one of self-discovery amidst the thrill of uncertainty.

🚓 Crime & Consequences

The film touches on crime and its consequences, depicting the characters' misguided attempts to escape their lives. Cozy and Lee's low-level delinquency highlights the thin line between mundane existence and criminal activity, reflecting the unpredictability of their choices.

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:37

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about misguided fugitives like River of Grass

Characters who stumble into a crime life, escaping their quiet desperation.If you enjoyed the aimless, darkly comedic fugitive journey in River of Grass, you'll find similar movies here. These films feature characters stumbling into a life of crime, often by accident, and explore themes of suburban ennui and disaffected youth.

aimlessdarkly comedicdisconnectedfugitivesuburbanennuibumbling

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows characters who, through a misunderstanding or minor incident, believe they are now fugitives. Their journey is less a thrilling chase and more a meandering escape from their own lives, filled with misadventures and a palpable sense of longing for something more.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'lovers on the lam' trope subverted by incompetence and existential aimlessness. They blend dark comedy with melancholic character studies, set against the backdrop of ordinary, often suburban, landscapes.

Character-driven indie dramas like River of Grass

Quiet, character-driven stories of disconnection and searching for meaning.Fans of the melancholic tone and disaffected characters in River of Grass will appreciate these similar indie films. Discover movies that focus on quiet moods, emotional realism, and the search for identity in everyday settings.

melancholicaimlesscontemplativedisconnectedquietrealisticcharacter studyennui

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are typically straightforward and linear, focusing deeply on the internal lives of its characters. The plot serves as a vehicle to explore feelings of ennui, disillusionment, and the subtle complexities of human relationships, often culminating in a bittersweet or ambiguous resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their melancholic indie sensibility, steady pacing, and medium emotional weight. They share a specific vibe of quiet observation, focusing on characters who feel disconnected from their surroundings and are grappling with a sense of purposelessness.

Unlock the Full Story of River of Grass

Don't stop at just watching — explore River of Grass in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what River of Grass is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

River of Grass Summary

Read a complete plot summary of River of Grass, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

River of Grass Summary

River of Grass Timeline

Track the full timeline of River of Grass with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

River of Grass Timeline

River of Grass Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of River of Grass that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

River of Grass Spoiler-Free Summary

More About River of Grass

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about River of Grass: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About River of Grass

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