RiverofGrasshasalltheelementsofaconventionalroadmovie:acar,agun,criminalplans,andyoungloversontherunfromanangryfatherwhoalsohappenstobeasuspendedpoliceofficerButwriteranddirectorKellyReichardthasinsteadtakenthesefamiliarelementsandfashionedanantiroadmovie,adeadpanfilmthatismoreexistentialistcomedythancrimedramaTheyoungloversinquestionareCozy,thecop'sdaughter,andLeeRay,ashadycharacterfromthewrongendoftownLeeRaycomesintopossessionofapistol,andsoonheandCozyfindthemselvesunintentionallyinvolvedinashootingFearingcapturebythelaw,thetwomakeplanstoleavetown,committingaseriesofrobberiesonthewayHowever,theydon'tmanagetogeTV版eryfar;indeed,thefilm'scentralpremiseishowtheromanticmythofloversonthelamprovesdisappointinginthefaceofafarmorepedestrianrealityThiswellreceived,lowbudgetindiewasshotonlocationinSouthFlorida,placingitsstoryagainstanappropriatelydepressedlandscapeofsunbleachedstripmalls,barrenhighwaysandovergrown,swampyfields;thetitleisanothernamefortheFloridaEverglades