The River (1951)

A wounded war veteran (Thomas E. Breen) comes to India to visit his cousin (Arthur Shields). Three young girls (Adrienne Corri, Radha Burnier, Patricia Walters) have their first encounter with love when they all fall in love with the American war veteran. Based on the novel by Rumer Godden (BLACK NARCISSUS) and directed by Jean Renoir (THE RULES OF THE GAME). This coming of age tale is just lovely. Played as a memory piece (the film is narrated by the adult version of Patricia Walters), we not only get a non sentimental view of adolescent growing pains but we see the beauty of India (albeit through western eyes) and how it casts its spell on foreigners without the clash of culture. These expatriate Brits (author Godden lived in India) blend in the best they can rather than impose Colonialist condescension toward the indigenous citizens. Visually, the film is stunning with the three strip Technicolor lensing of Claude Renoir (THE SPY WHO LOVED ME) creating a striking feast for the eyes. Renoir uses some non actors (like Breen and Walters) in major roles and while their inadequacies (especially Breen) show, it doesn't harm the movie in any way. A perfect example of cinema as poetry. With Nora Swinburne and Esmond Knight.