Drama
United States of America
Turn the River is a 2007 independent drama film directed by Chris Eigeman. The movie tells the story of Kailey (played by Famke Janssen), a once promising pool hustler who has since hung up her cue and is now working as a waitress in New York City. She lives a quiet life, raising her son Gulley (played by Jaymie Dornan), but is haunted by her past and her volatile ex-husband David (played by Rip Torn).
When David offers Kailey a chance to reunite with him, she sees an opportunity to escape her life and take her son with her. Kailey kidnaps Gulley and the pair head for the hills in upstate New York, where they hope to start a new life.
As Kailey evades David's attempts to find her, she tries to reconcile with her estranged brother David (played by Matt Ross) who, unlike her, has become a wealthy and successful businessman. However, Kailey's plan soon starts to unravel as she realizes the extent of the consequences of her actions.
The film is a character study of a woman fighting to break free from her past and to give her son a better life. It explores themes of redemption, loss, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Eigeman's directorial debut received critical acclaim for its emotional resonance and the performances of the cast, particularly Janssen's portrayal of Kailey.
