It stars Pamela Reed, Viveca Lindfors, Željko Ivanek, James Olson, and Craig T. Nelson.

Mary must contend with the advances of several local men, including ex-husband Cordell; Jack, a funeral director; and Marlyn, the deputy sheriff.

Momo, a developmentally disabled man, may know the truth to rumors that a horde of cash was hidden on the property of Svea Estava, a recently deceased townswoman.

He first got the idea for the film in 1983 after moving to Moose Lake, Minnesota from New York for a job and wanting to do a feature about the community where he lived.

[1] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times gave a positive review in which he praised the performances of Lindfors and Reed.

[5]Spirituality & Practice also praised the film, writing "Rachel River is a magical movie about the emotional education of adults in a world of mysteries which have no name and of little things that people are reluctant to talk about, such as vague longings, roving fears, and unfulfilled dreams.