I had never heard of Norman Maclean or his memoir before watching Robert Redford's adaptation of "A River Runs Through It". I'm of two minds about it. On the one hand, there's a lot of great scenery - the cinematography even won an Oscar - as well as a focus on the protagonists' efforts to hang on to a way of life that's sure to slip away as the years pass; fly-fishing can't be an easy way of life these days. On the other hand, the family's emphasis on their religion came across as heavy-handed. One can understand why Paul (Brad Pitt) starts rebelling against that way of life, so it's a bit disappointing that Norman (Craig Sheffer) doesn't.To us in the 21st century - especially the city folk - it might be hard to relate to what the movie portrays. I also would've like to see the mom (Brenda Blethyn) developed more extensively as a character. Otherwise I thought that it was worth seeing, just like Pitt's other Montana-set historical movie (Legends of the Fall). I recommend it.

These are the titles which gets lost among the fast paced super hero movies. Such beautiful scenes and even more beautiful characters. It's a story of hope, love, and simple but meaningful lives; the story of two brothers, them growing up, taking different paths, and getting together one last time with their dad to fly-fish. I'm sure most of us could relate to fond memories in the past, and no matter how different your life may have been, this movie will take you right back in time. It is definitely for old souls like myself, which I'm quite certain that most would have given up after one look at the title. Hence the low reviews. Truly a must watch for all ages. Family is everything!

This film is absolutely beautiful. From the serene shots of the majestic and jaw dropping mountains, rivers and forests of Montana to the wondrous score that is executed perfectly from Mark Isham, this is an amazing movie filled with lovely dialogue, perfect acting ( Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer most importantly) and wonderful poetry.River runs through it is a film I most definitely recommend. It will make you smile and feel many more different types of emotions. Sit down and watch a tale of two brothers who share a special bond of fly- fishing on the big Blackfoot river where " all things merge into one and a river runs through it" One scene that stood out for me was like " witnessing perfection". I am haunted by waters.

A Timeless Classic- Never did I think such boring text could be given an incredible breath of life and excitement through motion picture. In the movie A River Runs Through It, based on the Novella by Norman Maclean, two boys are born and raised in Montana by their Minister father while they are molded by religious ways and specific techniques of fly fishing. Norman, being the oldest, is also the narrator of this tale of simple living in Montana. He is very successful, however, Paul, the youngest brother gets himself into a good amount of trouble. Later we learn how and where Paul's successes shine through. A River Runs Through It is a beautiful film about family, simplicity, life lessons and values that takes the viewer out of their busy day and back down to the core of things. The novella was beautifully and very successfully adapted, expressing the emotions of the boys who struggle to express them themselves. The setting for the movie is very scenic and just as described in the beautifully descriptive novella. Although the life is simple, the brother's encounters and internal struggles are much more complex then they initially appear. The emotionless black and white characters are brought to beautiful visualization of human life and love in this visually and emotionally comforting film about life lessons. The film touches on a new level then the book could ever fathom and more, yet it still includes all the aspects the book had. Brad Pitt as Paul and Craig Sheffer as Norm were perfectly casted. Brad perfectly exemplified the cute and small persona, along with the heart and drive of a fighter that Paul had. Brad is very charming and appears perfect on the outside, but is much more complex and conflicted on the inside. Craig seems rough and tough, but with Norms personality, he the loving one, and is more the type that is caring and supportive of the important people in his life. Both boys adapted to perfectly fit the era and the setting. If one didn't know they were actors, one would say that they truly believed they were born and raised in Montana. These two strangers come together as actors in the film to have a bond that is not shown in affection; but a bond that is strong enough to be visible by the pure sense of feeling, devotion and family ties. The theme of the film is subtle throughout, but shines through if one really looks past the different things that these small town boys get themselves into. Even though the theme of the film could be over looked, the simplicity helps by putting more emphases on the meaning of the experiences, then the experiences them selves. The main symbol in this book is no secret: fly fishing. It can be looked at as a metaphor for a lot of different little things. But in general, fly fishing is used as a metaphor for life. It is the boys life, so it is used as kind of a guide line for everything that they learn, and all of the decisions they have to make. The dedication, the reach for perfection, the focus, the competition, the friendship, the technique. Everything about how these boys use fly fishing, is also mirrored in their every day lives. A River Runs Through It really reminded me how much family matters. In the ending lines when the "Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it" line is spoken, that's when it really dawned upon me as a viewer. The viewer realizes the depth and love and meaning that was presented in the insightful minds eye of the film, aside from beautiful scenery, there is much much more in a human life, no matter how simple it may appear.