A River Runs Through It

8.8

PG: Momentary nudity, and some language in a family drama

1992

Director: Robert Redford

Writers: Norman Maclean (story), Richard Friedenberg (screenplay)

Starring: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt

Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot

Music: Mark Isham

Editing: Robert Estrin, Lynzee Klingman

Production Design: Jon Hutman

Costume Design: Kathy O'Rear, Bernie Pollack, Reese Spensley

A River Runs Through It is the true tale of a fly fisherman, Paul Maclean played by Brad Pitt, in Montana told from the point of view of his brother, Norman Maclean played by Craig Sheffer. The boys grow up in Montana as the sons of the town's Presbyterian preacher who loves fly fishing. The tale starts with the brothers as boys to establish their relationship with each other and their relationship with their father as well as establish the importance of fly fishing in their lives and their father's life. We skip the middle years and return to the story when Norman goes back to Montana from college in New York and see how each brother has grown. Neither has grown out of fly fishing, especially Paul.

I think this film is excellent mostly because the story is so strong. The characters are very well developed. The boys' characters are established very clearly at the start of the film. We know what kind of people they are from the very beginning, and by the end of the film, they don't change, they simply grow. Every scene moves the story forward and reveals more of each character. Richard Friedenberg also uses a short, parallel storyline about a different character to reveal Norman's concerns for his brother as well as give the audience more insight into the brother. I also loved how the fly fishing was used to parallel each of the boys' storylines. However poor or well, happy or sad, frustrated or free, their fishing reflects or foreshadows what happens in the rest of the story. With a bittersweet ending, as every film should end, the audience feels satisfied with the entire film as well as the conclusion and outcome.

The cinematography in this film is simply gorgeous. It's easy to have beautiful cinematography when you have a beautiful scenery to work with. Rural Montana simply is a gorgeous setting with the mountains, greenery, and rivers.

One reason this story is so touching to the audience is because everyone can relate. Everyone knows someone that we treasure dearly who faces their own struggles, who maybe follows a path away from God but refuses help towards a better life. That's what the heart of this film is about, and we can all put ourselves in the shoes of Norman or Paul, as the one who wants to help or the one who struggles. Or maybe even both. We feel empathy for both characters, and as with every great story, we can use this one as a tool to guide ourselves and gain insight into our own selves and lives.