Is Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2000)

📖 The Core Premise

Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale stands as a 2000 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Documentary landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In 1955, Tobias Schneebaum disappeared into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. He had no guide, no map, and only the vaguest of instructions: Keep the river on your right. A year later Schneebaum emerged from the jungle…naked, covered in body paint, and a modern-day cannibal. Titled after Schneebaum’s 1969 cult classic memoir about his formative experiences living in the Amazon, Keep The River On Your Right is the extraordinary stranger-than-fiction story of Schneebaum’s return to the jungle, 45 years after his original visit, to reunite with the very tribesmen he loved and who gave him nightmares for nearly half a century. A deeply affecting and searing portrait, sibling filmmakers Laurie and David Shapiro capture a man in utter conflict, a fearless adventurer, and one of the most charming, enigmatic, and perplexing men ever captured on screen."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Tobias Schneebaum does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 93 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.