Riverbed, is a modern western and takes place in the state of Montana in the year 1980. Its main characters are three generational family members; Jim Boudin Senior age 82, (mostly referred to as Old Jim or Old man or grandfather) Jim Boudin Junior age 40, (mostly referred to as Big Jim) and Jimmy Boudin shortly before and just after his 13th birthday.
The story revolves around the ongoing conflict of father to son, Boudin Sr. and Jr. and their generational differences, values, perspectives on life and relationships. Old Jim is a product of the late19th and early 20th centuries whose history was shaped by western American traditions, values and experiences. His background is varied and covers early American small
town/country/ranch life to the Depression, both world wars and the running of a ranch in Montana. His wife Rose, who died at an early age from hard work and disease, is a steady underlying influence in how he looks at the world.
Big Jim is a Vietnam War veteran suffering from lingering Vietnam war nightmares, divorced from his wife Myrna, troubled, and trying to bring up a son alone like his father after his mother died. He is also trying to cope with the role of boss on the ranch having to take over from his father who is no longer able to manage the job. Both father and son are unable to communicate, and the story allows us to follow their conflict, miscommunication and attempts to learn how to love one another. It comes to an epic adventure of life and death in the mountains of Montana during an early fall winter storm and a rescue.
