Yes, time flies... I was in a lecture at university and my friend crept in, late as usual, to break the news that River Phoenix was dead. I was a fan - this one hit hard.

Really? Me, I was in my mum's tummy, I should have been 3 days old, but my poor mum had to wait 10 more days till I was born. 9 years later, I watched this unparalleled movie for the first time ever, and was shocked early on when I was told he was dead.

Who knows? They were/are both brilliant

@mechajutaro said:

One has to wonder; had he lived, would Joaquin gone on to have enjoyed the wunderkind status he enjoyed in the early 2000s then become recognized as the seasoned pro he is today, or been fated to remain in the shadow of River, never really being recognized for his own considerable talents?

I suspect River may have drifted in and out of acting. I remember him being quoted as saying he was far more into his music. He also stated firmly that he believed Joaquin to be the better actor. We'll never know what would have been but they were a supremely talented pair.