River of Grass 1995

Drama

Box Office

$12K

Runtime

76 min

Language

English

Directed by

Kelly Reichardt

Made by

Oscilloscope Pictures

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for River of Grass (1995). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Cozy is a disenchanted housewife in her thirties, grappling with a profound sense of emotional disconnection from her children. She resides with her father, Jimmy, a somewhat morose crime scene investigator who faces challenges at work, particularly when his boorish boss suspends him for losing his firearm.

Eager for a change, Cozy decides to dress up and ventures out to a bar, where she encounters Lee, a carefree and immature individual lacking ambition. Their meeting takes a wild turn when Lee buys her a drink and persuades her to break into a friend’s house to swim in the pool. During this reckless adventure, he shows her a gun he claims was found carelessly left behind by someone. As they are fooling around with the weapon, they inadvertently attract the attention of the pool’s owner, leading to a chaotic moment where the gun accidentally discharges.

In a panicked state, Cozy and Lee assume they have committed murder and promptly go on the run to evade the consequences. Their escapades take a humorous yet troubling path, including small-time antics such as stealing vinyl records from Lee’s grandmother to cover their fuel costs. While Lee occasionally contemplates committing a serious offense, he ultimately backs out at each turn. One such instance occurs when he opts against robbing a store, only for another individual to do so moments later. Although the thrill of their fugitive lifestyle initially excites Cozy, her feelings of ennui continue to linger.

When Lee mentions having bus tickets to New York, Cozy’s interest is piqued; however, unbeknownst to her, Lee secretly returns these tickets, leaving them both stranded in Florida. The situation becomes more complicated when a police forensics lab traces the gun back to Jimmy, raising the stakes for both Cozy and Lee. Eventually, Lee discovers that the supposed victim is still alive but chooses to withhold this crucial information from Cozy. The police, on the other hand, weigh the option of issuing an APB for the duo, though without a victim, they do not prioritize the case. As Jimmy uses his influence to convince his colleagues to delay their search, Cozy’s sense of dread begins to wane.

One day, when a police officer pulls Lee over at a toll station but merely issues a warning, Cozy’s realization dawns on her: they aren’t in fact wanted for murder. However, the situation escalates when Lee attempts to clarify his prior deceit, resulting in Cozy shooting him in a moment of confusion and driving away. The film concludes with Cozy caught in traffic, a poignant end to her chaotic journey.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of River of Grass (1995) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Cozy's Dissatisfaction

Cozy, a housewife in her thirties, feels increasingly detached from her children and husband, leading to a sense of emptiness in her everyday life. Living with her father, Jimmy, who works as a crime scene investigator, Cozy's life begins to feel stagnant and unfulfilling.

Jimmy's Suspension

Jimmy faces professional turmoil when his boss suspends him for losing his gun. This incident adds to the tension in Cozy's home, highlighting the struggles both father and daughter face in their lives.

A Night Out

Seeking an escape from her mundane life, Cozy dresses up and heads to a bar for a night of excitement. It is there that she meets Lee, a carefree and directionless young man who appears to offer her the thrill she craves.

Bar

Breaking Into a Pool

Lee convinces Cozy to break into a friend's house to swim in the pool, further pushing her into a world of reckless behavior. While there, they encounter a moment of danger when Lee shows her a gun found by a friend.

Friend's House

The Gun Goes Off

While Lee demonstrates how to use the gun, panic ensues as the homeowner appears unexpectedly. In the chaos, the gun discharges, creating a moment of fear and uncertainty as they believe they may have harmed the homeowner.

Pool

Going on the Run

Convinced they have committed a crime, Cozy and Lee decide to flee. Their journey begins, marked by a series of petty crimes and misadventures as they navigate their newfound freedom and the thrill that comes with it.

Low-Level Shenanigans

The duo engages in a variety of small-time escapades, including stealing vinyl records from Lee's grandmother to fund their travels. These antics illustrate their desperation and the carefree yet reckless spirit of their flight.

Temptations of Serious Crime

As Cozy and Lee continue their journey, Lee frequently contemplates committing a serious crime. Each time, however, he hesitates, revealing his lack of commitment to the reckless lifestyle that he initially seems to embody.

Misunderstood Situation

Lee learns that the alleged victim of their supposed crime is actually alive but chooses to keep this information from Cozy. Meanwhile, the police show little interest in pursuing them, complicating their situation further.

A Close Call with the Law

When Lee is pulled over by a police officer at a toll station, he is unexpectedly let off with just a warning. This encounter raises Cozy's hopes that they might not be in as much trouble as they thought.

Toll Station

Cozy's Realization

Cozy begins to realize that they may not actually be wanted for murder, which wrangles with her initial thrill of being on the run. This new perspective complicates her feelings about their escapade and her relationship with Lee.

The Unraveling

Confronted with Lee's deception regarding the nature of their situation, Cozy reaches a breaking point. In a moment of panic, she shoots Lee and makes a desperate escape from the scene, marking a tragic turn in their adventure.

Stuck in Traffic

The film concludes with Cozy stuck in traffic, reflecting a metaphor for her own entrapment and unresolved feelings. The chaotic journey she embarked on has led her to a place of isolation, symbolizing her ongoing struggles with her life.

Characters

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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

Setting

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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

Themes

Discover the main themes in River of Grass (1995). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🔫

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.