THE EVERLASTING LIGHT OF RIVER PHOENIX

When I think about all the movies that have made an impact on my life from my adolescence to adulthood, I always come back to my favorite River Phoenix films. I believe that if a movie is really going to touch you, the performance you watch must be rooted in authenticity. Any actor can read a script, prepare through method acting, or just have plenty of talent when it comes to playing certain characters. However, something magical happens when you see an "actor" presenting not only a person in a script but their own character. Before his passing, he starred in many powerful films that could make you forget you were watching a fictional story.

The reason River was so compelling in every role he played was most likely due to the fact that he often played characters that were similar to his true self. Much of River's childhood was spent on the road with his parents and siblings Joaquin, Rain, Summer, and Liberty. Due to his untraditional upbringing on the road with his perceived to be hippie family, he was able to build a character within him that could relate to many of his roles. His talents didn't go unnoticed for long and he began starring in classic films such a Stand By Me, providing audiences with unforgettable performances from a young age.

As he began to make his mark in the Hollywood scene, he still remained humble and determined to make a difference by becoming a humanitarian figure. Watching River, people can see more than an actor playing a part in a movie. They can see a genuine and passionate human who remained true to himself in the midst of his fame. In the movie My Own Private Idaho, River wanted to write a scene into the film which was one of the most magical moments in the film. You can tell that he was reading lines, but speaking from his heart about what his life might have been like if he came from a "normal" family, assuming that it might have led him to become a "well-adjusted person" instead of who he feels he became. However, this scene is just a small part of the wonderful contribution to the art of film, which became a part of River Phoenix's legacy.

River passed away from a drug overdose on the Halloween of 1993 when he was 23 years old. Although the world needed someone like River in the film industry, the sincere performances he left us with make his presence one that is truly everlasting.

With that being said, I'll leave you with some films in which River's impact lives on forever in, that I highly recommend watching:

1. My Own Private Idaho

2. Stand By Me

3. Running on Empty

4. I Love You to Death

Feel free to comment your thoughts and let me know if you would like to see more posts that expand on this topic in the future! Also, follow me on Twitter (@emilyokonsky) for updates on new articles and writing projects. Thanks for reading!