Persephone's Pomegranate’s review of Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind > Likes and Comments

My heart broke several times by just reading your review. I had no idea River and the Phoenix family went through all of this. I.. I just don't know what to say. I think I am in shock. Adding it to my tbr.

I understand your obsession, and this is heartbreaking… awesome review!

A brilliant actor and person who left too soon. Saw him in Indiana Jones as well as My own private Idaho that had another of my fave heartthrob Keanu Reeves. I am completely dumbfounded by the extent of the abuse he and most likely his siblings went through. I had no idea the family was part of a cult. Thanks for the distinctive insight into his short life :( Heart breaking review, PP.

This sounds really heartbreaking. Like Kealyn I had no idea what River and his family went through. Fantastic review PP!

SUCH AN AMAZING REVIEW BEAUTIFUL 🖤🖤🖤

This is a great review on a very sad matter. At least he shone bright for a while. I hope you find your River :)

Lovely review, my darling! So happy you enjoyed! 💕💕💕

Hello hon
I believe River’s life has been took by the whole Hollywood’s environment. He was too young and vulnerable when he started an actor career….
Great review, as usual 👏👏👏👏👏❤️

He was just a few years older than me, and I grew up with his films, watching him evolve as an actor. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Stand By Me. I still remember hearing about his death and how much it saddened me. Thank you for this heartfelt review, PP!

Incredible review PP! I loved Samantha Mathis! What happened to her. I still remember that sad event. So no drugs in his system, how did he die? I didn't know about the cult. yikes. Thanks for the review. "My Own Private Idaho" was a great movie. I still say I am in my own private Idaho when I zone out. So few know what I'm talking about. Happy Thanksgiving!

Great review. He's a favorite of mine too but I knew little about him. Thanks for your research. Great info I appreciate

PP,
As usual, you pulled me right in! I also had a soft spot for River Phoenix. I thought he was exceptionally good at honest expression in his acting, and all of our names at our house (including the small creatures) begin with an "R" or a "J," so someone named River Jude is an immediate ally over here!
Interestingly, I recently listened to 2 "Smartless" podcasts--one with Keanu Reeves, the other with Joaquin Phoenix. I found Keanu Reeves to be surprisingly approachable, humble, and interesting; I found Joaquin Phoenix to be incredibly awkward and the interview/conversation made me uncomfortable to the point of turning it off. You can tell that there is quite a bit he does not want to discuss and early childhood social cues were lacking. However, he is an excellent actor, my favorite movie of his being "Walk the Line." He's like a chameleon, slipping into radically different roles. He was cheated out of the time he deserved with his older brother.

Excellent and informative review - TY

Like you, when l like something l tend to become obsessed and want to find everything there is about it.
I think River Phoenix's parents were very unwise. Some aspects of his short life shocked and saddened me.
I know Samantha Mathis from the movie Unanswered Prayers. I love this movie!
I suspect that this book is not easy to read because of the subject matter and kudos to you Persephone for reading it and for the great review!!!
I just want to share that l just typed a long review and goodreads ate it. This is not the first time this happened to me. So frustrating!

Excellent review Penelope. I was reminded about him recently reading Ione Sky’s memoir. I had no idea JF was possibly involved in his death how horrible. I agree that Martha’s quote is especially poignant.

Great review, PP! This sounds really heartbreaking. I'm not sure I know who River Pheonix is, but no one should have to go through this.

Great and thorough review. I will look for this one!

Great review, PP! Thank you.

River was an amazing talent who died too soon. Excellent review, PP!!

Love this review, PP! 💙 I've come across his movies, but didn't know he went through all this!

Startling work PP, thank you for composing and sharing.

Nice review, and delicate handling of sensitive subjects- nicely done, Persephone!

I’m exactly like this too! When I love something, I get so obsessive it’s wild 😅! You did a good job with this review!!💗

Fabulous review, Persephone! River had such a tragic life and it's crazy that he's now been dead for far longer than he ever lived — I still remember when it happened. Can you imagine Interview with the Vampire with River Phoenix instead of Christian Slater? I loved them both back in the day, but it just would have been so ... different.

That was an excellent review and a beautiful tribute to River. ❤️

Incredible review, Persephone, very heartfelt. 🤗💕

He was a genuine talent. Such a tragic loss. Wonderful review!

What a poignant and heartbreaking review... I didn't know the Phoenix family was in a cult, this is horrific.

Thank you for writing about this book, PP!

Haunting review, PP - you captured the fragility of fame and the weight of trauma with heartbreaking clarity. River’s story feels like a candle burning at both ends.

Perse...The last quote you chose says it all! What an heartfelt, well crafted review!

This was heartbreaking to read, but also fascinating. Thank you for writing such an honest, illuminating review, Persephone!

Kealyn wrote: "My heart broke several times by just reading your review. I had no idea River and the Phoenix family went through all of this. I.. I just don't know what to say. I think I am in shock. Adding it to..."

I'm glad I wrote this review so that those who didn't know can understand what River went through.

Dab wrote: "I understand your obsession, and this is heartbreaking… awesome review!"

It really is. Thank you, Dab :)

Zaynab wrote: "A brilliant actor and person who left too soon. Saw him in Indiana Jones as well as My own private Idaho that had another of my fave heartthrob Keanu Reeves. I am completely dumbfounded by the exte..."

River and Keanu were fantastic in My Own Private Idaho.
That film is somewhat strange but very stylized and artistic. I know he was in Indiana Jones, but I don't think I watched that particular installment. Thank you, Zaynab :)

Maureen wrote: "This sounds really heartbreaking. Like Kealyn I had no idea what River and his family went through. Fantastic review PP!"

It's really sad. Thank you, Maureen :)

Uswah wrote: "SUCH AN AMAZING REVIEW BEAUTIFUL 🖤🖤🖤"

Thank you, Uswah :)

inciminci wrote: "This is a great review on a very sad matter. At least he shone bright for a while. I hope you find your River :)"

I'm still searching for my River :) Thank you, Inciminci.

Dawn wrote: "Lovely review, my darling! So happy you enjoyed! 💕💕💕"

Thank you sm Dawn :)

Maria wrote: "Hello hon
I believe River’s life has been took by the whole Hollywood’s environment. He was too young and vulnerable when he started an actor career….
Great review, as usual 👏👏👏👏👏❤️"

Thank you, lovely Maria :) In recent years, much has been revealed about the mistreatment of child actors in Hollywood. There are so many predators behind the scenes that target young actors and actresses. It's no surprise that many of them resort to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Nancy wrote: "He was just a few years older than me, and I grew up with his films, watching him evolve as an actor. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Stand By Me. I still remember hearing about his dea..."

Stand By Me is a beautiful piece of art. Just like you, I've seen it countless times, and every time it stirs my emotions. It's haunting how River passed away at a young age in such a tragic manner, much like his character in the film. Thank you, Nancy :)

Barbara wrote: "Incredible review PP! I loved Samantha Mathis! What happened to her. I still remember that sad event. So no drugs in his system, how did he die? I didn't know about the cult. yikes. Thanks for the ..."

There was no alcohol or any form of speed in his system and he did not snort or inject any drugs. He passed away due to a 'speedball' in the cup given to him by his guitarist friend. I really wish people would stop spreading the false rumors that River was snorting cocaine in the club, as that is simply not true. Thank you, Barbara. Happy Thanksgiving :)

Kerry wrote: "Great review. He's a favorite of mine too but I knew little about him. Thanks for your research. Great info I appreciate"

Thank you for the compliment, Kerry :)

Julie wrote: "PP,
As usual, you pulled me right in! I also had a soft spot for River Phoenix. I thought he was exceptionally good at honest expression in his acting, and all of our names at our house (including ..."

I love Walk the Line! I remember coming across some interesting details about the movie's production and discovering that Joaquin experienced a mental breakdown while filming. It was a challenging project for him because Johnny Cash had also lost a beloved older brother during his childhood, and it's understandable that making this film resurfaced a lot of trauma for Joaquin. I don't think he ever fully recovered from the trauma of watching his brother die. Their dad struggled with alcoholism during their childhood, which must have been difficult for them. I feel bad for all the Phoenix siblings. Thank you, Julie :)

Dee wrote: "Excellent and informative review - TY"

Thank you, Dee :)

Anna wrote: "Like you, when l like something l tend to become obsessed and want to find everything there is about it.
I think River Phoenix's parents were very unwise. Some aspects of his short life shocked and..."

I encountered a problem yesterday morning while attempting to submit this review as well. I was unable to access the book's page to add it, and GR wouldn't allow me to post my review. I had to wait some time before trying to post it again. I don't know what's happening with this site and why it has so many issues.
I haven't heard of the movie you referred to. I've watched a few things with her, and she was fantastic in all of them. I think she's a very underrated actress. Thank you, Anna :)

britta ⋆˙⟡ wrote: "Excellent review Penelope. I was reminded about him recently reading Ione Sky’s memoir. I had no idea JF was possibly involved in his death how horrible. I agree that Martha’s quote is especially p..."

Thank you, Britta :) So many people have mentioned Ione's book. I'll have to check it out.

Yun wrote: "Great review, PP! This sounds really heartbreaking. I'm not sure I know who River Pheonix is, but no one should have to go through this."

He was incredibly talented, altruistic, and charismatic. I recommend watching Stand By Me, it's such a good movie. Thank you, Yun :)

Nina (ninjasbooks) wrote: "Great and thorough review. I will look for this one!"

Thank you, Nina :)

Celeste wrote: "Great review, PP! Thank you."

Thank you, Celeste :)

Terrie wrote: "River was an amazing talent who died too soon. Excellent review, PP!!"

He really was. Thank you, Terrie :)