2020
Film Movement
1 h 32 m

2020
Film Movement
1 h 32 m

Summary Once Upon A River is the story of Native American teenager Margo Crane in 1970s rural Michigan. After enduring a series of traumas and tragedies, Margo (Kenadi DelaCerna) sets out on an odyssey on the Stark River in search of her estranged mother. On the water, Margo encounters friends, foes, wonders, and dangers; navigating life on her ...

Drama

Directed By: Haroula Rose

Written By: Bonnie Jo Campbell, Haroula Rose

2020
Film Movement
1 h 32 m

2020
Film Movement
1 h 32 m

Once Upon a River

Name: Once Upon a River
Genre: Drama
Released: 2020-09-29
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Rating: 72
Cast: Kenadi DelaCerna, John Ashton, Tatanka Means, Ajuawak Kapashesit, Kenn E. Head

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Drama

Directed By: Haroula Rose

Written By: Bonnie Jo Campbell, Haroula Rose

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

60% Positive
3 Reviews

40% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

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Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

60% Positive
3 Reviews

40% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times

Apr 20, 2021

There’s no trace of Hollywood glamour or gloss to the story, no hint of actor-y flourishes in the deeply resonant performances. Just a lean, finely crafted, memorably real story announcing the presence of a major new filmmaking talent — and a young actor with the promise of limitless potential.

By Richard Roeper FULL REVIEW

Film Threat

Apr 20, 2021

A far as coming-of-age stories go, Once Upon a River is a very sweet story. There’s not a lot of fluff, but there is a lot of heart in a story based on a novel and feels in a way like a novel.

By Alan Ng FULL REVIEW

The Film Stage

Apr 20, 2021

It’s the story of a young woman coming of age against the backdrop of both the injustices of her family and country. The former is overtly portrayed by the events that lead Margo to run, but the latter is never far behind despite its more subtle inclusion.

By Jared Mobarak FULL REVIEW

Movie Nation

Apr 20, 2021

The basic ingredients of something gripping, tense and heartfelt, and in an unusual setting and culture, are here. Our director/cook spoiled the stew, with a lot of help from her miscast-cast main ingredient.

By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW

RogerEbert.com

Apr 20, 2021

Laden with demoralizing tragedies, Haroula Rose’s film is only fleetingly affecting, preferring to put its characters through the wringer rather than provide them with much interiority or consistency. Without that depth, neither the external nor internal journeys of Once Upon a River captivate as much as they should.

By Roxana Hadadi FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Chicago Media Angels, Glass Bead Films, Neon Heart Productions, Thirty Tigers

Release Date Sep 29, 2020

Duration 1 h 32 m

Genres

Drama

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Awards

Red Nation Film Festival

• 3 Wins & 4 Nominations

American Indian Film Festival

• 4 Nominations

MINT (Montana International) Film Festival

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

Once Upon a River

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Kenadi DelaCerna

Margo Crane

John Ashton

Smoke

Tatanka Means

Bernard Crane

Ajuawak Kapashesit

Will

Kenn E. Head

Fishbone

Lindsay Pulsipher

Luanne

Dominic Bogart

Brian

Evan Linder

Paul

Sam Straley

Billy Murray

Coburn Goss

Cal Murray

Arie Thompson

Junior Murray

Josephine Decker

Joanna Murray

H.B. Ward

Earl

Claudia Church

Receptionist

Bradley Grant Smith

Officer

Angela Rak

Kim

Jules Reid

Shelley

Shane Simmons

Officer

William Sidney Parker

Foreman

Kayla Drago

Julie Slocum

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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