BLUE RIVER

Based on the novel by Ethan Canin, ‘Blue River’ depicts the powerful events in a small Wisconsin town that drive two teenage brothers apart. The story begins when Lawrence Sellers, a homeless drifter, shows up at the home of his brother Edward, a successful doctor, and then flashes back to their youth and the circumstances of their breach.

Teenage Edward (Nick Stahl,In the Bedroom) looks up to his older brother Lawrence(Jerry O’Connell, Jerry Maguire), their father having deserted the family many years before. Lawrence is troubled by his father’s abandonment and is determined not to let his family be humiliated. He goes after the town bully with a chain and shoplifts expensive clothes. He directs much of his resentment at Mr. Howland (Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Sam Elliott, Mask), the school principal and the town’s model of moral rectitude, after Howland dumps the boys’ mother following an affair that she thought would lead to marriage. Lawrence’s misdeeds come to a head when he strikes Edward during an argument, flees the house and returns intoxicated. His mother, once forgiving of his behavior, demands that Lawrence leave. Only after he vows to change does she take him back.

In the ensuing months, Lawrence strives to be the model of a reformed youth, even joining the Blue River Community Club as a counselor. In support of his brother, Edward joins the club as well, though he stands out like a Boy Scout in a street gang. Edward becomes friends with Zoltan Morris (Patrick Renna,The Sandlot), an overweight, troubled boy who marvels at fire and peeps at naked women. Edward ignores Lawrence’s warnings about Zoltan — that he is a disturbed youngster who may cause trouble.

When Edward uncovers evidence that Zoltan could be behind a series of arson fires striking the small town, his conscience gets the best of him and he tips off Mr. Howland. Zoltan, unable to live with the shame, drowns himself in Blue River. Though Howland assures him he did the right thing, Edward realizes he has betrayed a friend. Worse, Edward, while still mourning the loss, realizes that he has pinned the blame on the wrong person. Lawrence’s reformation was all a guise. It was he who had set the fires. The ensuing breach keeps Edward and Lawrence apart for years until the day when, as adults, they find each other face-to-face at Edward’s front door.