Lost River

Warner Bros. | Release Date: April 10, 2015

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 76 Ratings

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ValVelocityMar 1, 2016

I was expecting worse, but I've been delightfully surprised. I may be biased as my aesthetics perfectly fit with the movie's ones, but i truly appreciated the tone of the colours, or the night city scenarios as well as the atmosphere that youI was expecting worse, but I've been delightfully surprised. I may be biased as my aesthetics perfectly fit with the movie's ones, but i truly appreciated the tone of the colours, or the night city scenarios as well as the atmosphere that you can feel in the night-swamp scene, something that reminded me of something familiar.
But also the story, in my opinion, is pretty good, considering the dream-like context in which the movie is set in, and some things they don't actually have to make sense, due to the oniric nature of the film, explaining, or at least giving the viewer enough hints to get what's going on.
The atmosphere of decadence of the movie went immediately beneath my skin, all the settings were well made, from the desolated town from the decadent city, including the swamp and the basement, everything cured to the last detail, and it shows it.
The soundtrack is sublime, and extremely appropriate to each situation, evoking with colours and sounds something past, a vague sense of nostalgia, or at least did to me.
I read about really bad critics about this movie, and now I'm questioning myself I saw the same one as the Cannes' jury, because Lost River it is sublime, an experience, a movie to see with attention, to get the most of it, I really loved Ryan Gosling's debut as Director.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Debaser7Oct 7, 2016

weird and wonderful, ambitious, greatly acted, with a modern fairy-tale like story. I don't know how anyone can hate this film. Critics give positive reviews to all these terrible Marvel and Fast and Furious movies, but sh*t on somethingweird and wonderful, ambitious, greatly acted, with a modern fairy-tale like story. I don't know how anyone can hate this film. Critics give positive reviews to all these terrible Marvel and Fast and Furious movies, but sh*t on something well made and original… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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JuttybombApr 10, 2015

The intro cuts, shot choices, color tones, neons, the shallow dof shots, and wide angle shots are incredible.
Ryan truly made Detroit a character. Yes there are influences of Refn, Cianfrance, and Malick, but shouldn't there be? I even feltThe intro cuts, shot choices, color tones, neons, the shallow dof shots, and wide angle shots are incredible.
Ryan truly made Detroit a character. Yes there are influences of Refn, Cianfrance, and Malick, but shouldn't there be? I even felt a little bit of Harmony Korine. Ryan is a talented and dedicated actor, he spent the time while on set with these directors to learn from them, no surprise that his directorial debut would show their influence. Ryan is also a musician, and the number that Ben Mendelsohn does with what I believe to be Ryans voice or at least written song is electrifying. Eva Mendes is underrated period, she killed in A Place Beyond the Pines, and her talent to convey strong emotion with little to no words is seen again in this film. All in all, the movie was casted perfect, hats off to the casting director and Ryan. The story is one of the directors narrative, which is what film should be. Viewers need to learn to appreciate movies for moments and originality, rather then hold every film they see to summer blockbuster standers or cookie cutter scripts. This movie is a cinematic art installation, and a look into Goslings storytelling mind. I'm sure it will be a cult classic, and nevertheless how dope is it that a leading actors brain works like that? I mean imagine this film for the generations to come, and the body of work Gosling will leave behind? How cool would it have been if James Dean would have made a film like this? Pay attention to the monologues and writing in this film, its phenomenal. I hope he directs more films in his career, and this film deserves a wider release. Hollywood sometimes under appreciates, as well as doesn't give the credit certain artist deserve because they won't do studio movies or be a puppet. This is a great movie, and I hope more people have the opportunity to see it. - Jutt DaRe… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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DNDMay 13, 2015

First RG experience as a director; following this, you can not blame the author too much, i guess.
The movie is perfectly shoot and also there you can see a great script-pot work. Intense colourful storyline with nice ambient musicalFirst RG experience as a director; following this, you can not blame the author too much, i guess.
The movie is perfectly shoot and also there you can see a great script-pot work. Intense colourful storyline with nice ambient musical performance. Although, it is hard to give the high score.
At some point you realize that you need more ACTION in that one. As a result, some parts of a movie looks astonishing, yet the others are a bit slow played.
All in all, i can not say it is a bad movie or a good one. I believe RG has a large potential for doing anything much more beyond and not alike the LR. That's for sure.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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OhyaaaaaMay 7, 2015

Underrated......All in all I enjoyed the movie, very weird and dream like at times but I really like the style. People compare it to drive but the only real comparison is the soundtrack other than that this is completely different. VeryUnderrated......All in all I enjoyed the movie, very weird and dream like at times but I really like the style. People compare it to drive but the only real comparison is the soundtrack other than that this is completely different. Very independent and well shot. It's a movie about the struggles of poor community's and some fairy tale stories behind them. Sometimes the story and scenes are unnecessary but it was risky and goslin is trying to be exactly that. I could for sure see this movie becoming a criterion someday because of the style and riskiness . Go watch it and enjoy it for the weird creepy fairy tale it is.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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thepunisher65May 29, 2015

Ryan Gosling's Lost River may not be the most admired movie in the genre but sure is an esteemed effort by the first time director. With some prudent direction, meaningful characters & an impressive score, Lost River can be venerated as aRyan Gosling's Lost River may not be the most admired movie in the genre but sure is an esteemed effort by the first time director. With some prudent direction, meaningful characters & an impressive score, Lost River can be venerated as a decent fictional mystery, but only catering to a limited audience.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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lukas7May 22, 2015

One of the best movies of 2014. I enjoyed every part of this movie. Ryan is a fantastic director as well as an actor. The dark real world fairy tale like story is great, the visual are fantastic, the performances are good, especially MattOne of the best movies of 2014. I enjoyed every part of this movie. Ryan is a fantastic director as well as an actor. The dark real world fairy tale like story is great, the visual are fantastic, the performances are good, especially Matt Smith as the psychopath Bully. The panning this movie got i really didn't understand. With all the unoriginal movies these day's it's great to see an original, well directed movie. Critic's really don't know what their talking about. Lost river is a Masterpiece… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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godgravityJun 7, 2015

Overall, a very dark, macabre, but tense thriller/drama about fighting for the things, and people that you love. Fantastic cinematography, brilliant imagery, beautiful and ranged lighting, and a vivid palette of both emotions and coloringOverall, a very dark, macabre, but tense thriller/drama about fighting for the things, and people that you love. Fantastic cinematography, brilliant imagery, beautiful and ranged lighting, and a vivid palette of both emotions and coloring make the visuals breathtaking.

The writing is good - nothing special. However, the acting is top-notch and elevates this film from a mediocre script into a tense exploration of what each of us might do to keep our dreams alive.

Critically panned, but those who have seen it, will likely not forget it. A truly dedicated introduction to Ryan Gosling's capability behind the cameras.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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EdgarReviewsJun 27, 2015

Did I watch a different film to Cannes critics? If it weren't for a sluggish start strewn with admittedly awful dialogue, Ryan Gosling's directorial debut would earn the full 5 stars; a visceral experience boasting a stunning soundtrack,Did I watch a different film to Cannes critics? If it weren't for a sluggish start strewn with admittedly awful dialogue, Ryan Gosling's directorial debut would earn the full 5 stars; a visceral experience boasting a stunning soundtrack, startling cinematography, and some stand-out scenes featuring Ben Mendehlson. Top notch stuff.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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edoorlandoMay 9, 2016

I totally enjoyed this movie by the first time, but even much by the second time of watching. The influences from other directors, especially Nicolas Winding Refn, are a lot. But I like it how they all together mixed up in what Lost River is.I totally enjoyed this movie by the first time, but even much by the second time of watching. The influences from other directors, especially Nicolas Winding Refn, are a lot. But I like it how they all together mixed up in what Lost River is. Lost River is full of beautiful shots (especially the opening sequence). At the end Lost River left me with the same feeling as Only God Forgives, you either like those "dream", art like movies or you hate them. I'm one of those who loves them.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DecTheWallsJan 12, 2018

The best looking art film I've ever seen. Benoit Debie delivered absolutely exceptional visuals in this film. Fantastic Direction of the actors and memorable characters. There doesn't seem to anything pushing the story through, although thisThe best looking art film I've ever seen. Benoit Debie delivered absolutely exceptional visuals in this film. Fantastic Direction of the actors and memorable characters. There doesn't seem to anything pushing the story through, although this is clearly the intention (just as with any art film) so it is hard to judge Lost River for this.

Ryan Gosling has directed a debut art film that in my eyes rivals the artists he clearly takes inspiration from. Although I can see other filmmakers in this, they come together to form something different, something Gosling.

Absolutely worth watching if you're into art cinema. 0/10, should have been called "Read My Lips".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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