The River Phoenix Album

by Penelope Dening

Until his death in the early hours of Halloween 1993, it seemed that River Phoenix was the antithesis of the traditional hard-living Hollywood star of the past. He cared passionately for the environment, played in his own rock band, was protective of his family and close circle of friends, and even warned against the temptation of drugs.
Sadly, like much else in his tragically short life, this was wishful thinking. The child star may have successfully made the transition to leading man, but off-screen he was still a sensitive, damaged and a mass of contradictions; uniquely vulnerable to Hollywood's low life and the high risk culture that went with it.
But it is now clear that time will not fade the rare integrity of his talent. The River Phoenix Album is a lasting tribute to the young star's memory, with a carefully selected collection of photographs, sumptuously produced to the highest quality, illustrating every period of his short but productive career.
With author Penelope Dening's provocative analysis of the factors that precipitated River's tragic death, The River Phoenix Album provides an intense and intimate portrait of the private River Phoenix, who embraced the planet but abandoned himself.

Genres: Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ulla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good photos but I did not like the discrediting writing of Mrs. Dening. She concentrates on the downsides and almost neglects his achievements, ridicules him. Not as bad as Mr. Glatt but perhaps only because this book is shorter.

River Phoenix does not deserve this.