A lost film finally receiving release almost four decades after completion, "Cane River" offers a dfferent story of Afro-American romance, dealing with an unusual clash of cultures.
Instead of miscegenation, this is a story of a romance between a Black girl and a Creole hero, latter a football star who gives up the prospect of a pro ball career to instead focus on his plan to become a writer and poet.
Rural setting, plus a colorful trip to New Orleans where the heroine is matriculating to college, is enhanced by lovely photography in a bucolic mode, also useful to setting up the historical background to the story. Acting by a cast of unknowns is strident at times, but manages to conjure up interesting characters, though the plot and action is way too laidback to hold the interest of most 21st century audiences.
Earnest is the best adjective to describe this picture, representative of the early years of the now-familiar modern Independent Film movement, and while hardly compelling it is of historical note.
Instead of miscegenation, this is a story of a romance between a Black girl and a Creole hero, latter a football star who gives up the prospect of a pro ball career to instead focus on his plan to become a writer and poet.
Rural setting, plus a colorful trip to New Orleans where the heroine is matriculating to college, is enhanced by lovely photography in a bucolic mode, also useful to setting up the historical background to the story. Acting by a cast of unknowns is strident at times, but manages to conjure up interesting characters, though the plot and action is way too laidback to hold the interest of most 21st century audiences.
Earnest is the best adjective to describe this picture, representative of the early years of the now-familiar modern Independent Film movement, and while hardly compelling it is of historical note.