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The Big Blackfoot River runs through the lives of a Presbyterian minister and father Reverend Maclean(Tom Skerrit) and his two sons Norman (Craig Sheffer) and Paul (Brad Pitt) in this luciously filmed movie in 1910-20s Montana. Brenda Blethlyn plays Mrs. Maclean as a good mother trusting in her husband's wisdom, judgement, and leadership. Reverend Maclean raises his two sons to love fly fishing. In fact, he even competes with the boys to catch the largest fish on each outing. But first he home schools both boys throughout their childhood and is a strict teacher. He also rhythmically teaches them to fish to the beat of a metronome. Norman is basically a good son, and we learn that he becomes the narrator (Robert Redford) at the end. Paul, however, is not bad, but he fills his life with daring escapades like gambling, dating Indians, chuting the chutes (canoeing over the falls), and fighting. The movie really belongs to Paul as he stays home to become a locally famous fisherman reporter at the newspaper while Norman gets an English degree from Darmouth in Connecticut. The movie is about Norman's return home one summer to meet his soulmate Jessie Burns (Emily Lloyd) and to spend the summer doing the grown up things that he was too young to do as a boy. It is a Waltons type movie, where family is everything, where friends meet at picnics and twilight gatherings around a gazebo, and on Sunday we are in church. Reverend Maclean is our preacher. This movie won an Academy Award for Cinematography and was directed and produced by Robert Redford. Brad Pitt's character dominates the movie, but newcomer Craig Scheffer holds his own. You will love it if you love the outdoors and especially if you are a fly fisherman. It is like a scrapbook of a family that we get to view.Read full review
Though not an "exact copy" of the book by Norman Maclean's book, Robert Redford does a masterful job of bringing this story to life. Mr. Redford has the best narrative voice available and filming the movie in the rugged beauty of Montana makes this a fantastic movie to watch. Having been a Fly-Fisherman since the age of 8, I can understand the way Norman Maclean's father felt about this most artistic of sportsman pursuits. Of course, being a Fly-Fishing guide at the time (1992 to present), I also noticed a marked increase among those who had seen the movie and wanted to learn how to fly-fish. This movie deserved the three Oscars it recieved(Best Screenplay Adaptation, Best Music Score, & Best Cinematography) and, I my opinion, it deserved even more. In a time where movies are given rave reviews for shock content or philosophical lifestyle promotion, A River Runs Through It stands out as a beautifull filmed, superbly directed and hauntingly philosophical movie. It is well worth watching and I recommend it to anyone without reservation. Chris Kesler, Fly-Fisherman and Practitioner of Classical CHinese Medical BodyworkRead full review
Wonderful story of two fly fisherman brothers growing up in Montana. Son's of a Presbyterian Minister they grow up fast and have an adventure of a lifetime in Montana. Overall great story and wonderful cast!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I found the movie thoughtful and provocative at times. It seems to be a good synapses of what life in that time frame was really like.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you enjoy fly fishing....this movies for you. It's a serious, but entertaining movie with humor too. Such scenery...beautiful. Very emotional at times.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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