The River Murders (2011)

**_The precious and the profane in Spokane with Ray Liotta_**

A brutal serial killer is on the loose and it’s discovered that all the victims were former lovers of one of the city’s detectives (Liotta). Who’s the killer and why is he targeting these particular women? Ving Rhames plays the police captain while Christian Slater is on hand as the FBI agent.

“The River Murders” (2011) comes in the tradition of sordid murder thrillers like “The General’s Daughter” and “Kiss the Girls.” It’s not as commendable as the former, but it’s better than the latter IMHO. The obscure “Cold Blooded” is another comparison. The best things about it are the brooding-yet-spiritual mood, the quality score and the notable Spokane locations, not to mention the cast.

To appreciate it, you have to be prepared for a flick that’s frank about things better left unsaid, like what the killer does with the victims’ rings or the skeletons of one’s past sexual relations. We’re talking some serious TMI here. Concerning the latter, would you want to know such details about your coworker or spouse? Probably not. Then there’s the over-the-top rudeness of the no-nonsense FBI agent. I’d criticize it, but we’ve all met these kinds of abrasive types.

If you can roll with the crudeness and ugliness, there are quite a few positives beyond those already noted, such as confrontation, forgiveness, new life, a reverent ambiance amidst the unpleasantness and some interesting commentaries on Old Testament Scripture.

Someone criticized that the movie’s too hard on Christians, but the psycho in question isn’t actually a believer in light of how the Bible points out that "no [impenitent] murderer has eternal life residing in him" (1 John 3:15). Was Jim Jones a Christian, for example? Obviously not. Besides, this particular character is counterbalanced by Harlan (Patrick Treadway), who’s a sound and benevolent minister.

Sarah Ann Schultz stands out on the feminine front as the protagonist’s detective partner.

It runs 1 hour, 32 minutes.

GRADE: B-