Cinema - River Phoenix

River Jude Phoenix was born on August 23, 1970 in Oregan and died on Halloween 1993 outside Johnny Depp's Viper Room in Hollywood. I still remember the day he died. I had just gotten up in the morning, turning on the tv. While munching on cereal, the tv news announced that River had died outside the Viper Room, cause unknown. I sat there, stunned. I think my heart stopped. I couldn't believe what I heard. Why? What happened? I suspected drugs but couldn't understand why he would do that. I couldn't see him doing that. I couldn't understand. Later, autopsy reports said it was drug induced heart failure. But in a weird way, it didn't exactly close the book on him. River was and perhaps always will be, on the most talented actors to come out in a long time.

Born in Oregan, his parents were members of the Children of God and moved to South America. River, his parents and his siblings, Joaquin, Summer, Rain and Liberty, moved back to the US and went to Los Angeles where they changed their last name to Phoenix. River and his siblings would sing and perform on the streets. And their parents encouraged them to get into acting for the sake of the Children of God.

River, for such a short life, did several films in which his first role was in 1982 at the age of 12 in the tv movie Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. His first feature film was at the age of 15 in the movie Explorers with the young Ethan Hawke. And who can forget his tearful portrayal of Chris Chambers in Stand By Me? And in the age of 18, he was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for best supporting actor in the movie Running on Empty. But the best film he ever did was My Private Idaho which also starred Keanu Reeves. To see this movie, you could actually feel his pain. For that movie, he won awards for best actor. I highly recommend this film.

I still remember the day I heard he died. Flicking on my tv on a Saturday morning to watch Spiderman, I was confronted with the news announcing he had died outside The Viper Room. My mind drew a blank as I tried to comprehend this. I remember sitting on the ground in utter disbelief.

When I read an article on River a little while after his death, I read about his cry for help that no one heard. His desire to sing and make music. He started a band with his sister Rain called Aleka's Attic. They would perform at the Viper Room often. He had a dream of becoming a muscian. And he became self-destructive...taking on roles that showed his pain and sorrow. And his foray into heroin. I felt sad while reading that article. I wonder why no one heard his cry?

Some have said that he will always be Daniel Malloy. Anne Rice suggested him as Lestat. He could even have been Louis. But I disagree. He is Armand. Young yet playing with fire on the outside that was merely hiding a heart filled with pain and sorrow. Good bye River Phoenix. I will light a candle for you always.

Here's a poem that I wrote a long while back for River when I saw this picture to your left. It's not great stuff, I just had to write it out.

Road To Where?

Where are you going?
Walking, walking
Have you reached where you are going?
Wandering
Alone
No one with you
No car to drive you home
Empty
Endless
Have you reached where you are going?
Did you find what you are looking for?

Here is an excellent website dedicated to River Phoenix for you to learn more about him.

Rio's Attic--A River Phoenix Website.

Rest in peace, River Phoenix. A candle will always be lit for you.

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