The River Why

First: I loved the book and still do. Read Duncan's novel, please.

Second: I've lived and fished in NW Oregon (and in NE Idaho, also a location for some of the filming) and agree with those who sing praise for the beautiful cinematic qualities of much of the film.

Third: Rarely do great books become great movies. This is true here. Still, given this reality, the film is good enough to watch, enjoy, ponder, discuss and watch again.

Fourth: I commend the review by Hollywood Jesus (listed among critics above) which convinced me both to go see it last night and to encourage you to do the same ---

The River Why is based on a novel, written by David James Duncan. In a few words, it's about a young fisherman who leaves the city life to go and live in a house by the river and do/find/think about what he loves.

If one would like to find himself somewhere, that looks like a nice place to do it. Romance isn't missing, but it's more like an inspiration here (the way love should be, i guess).

The movie was filmed in some very beautiful locations in Portland, Oregon. It seemed like a documentary actually. A pleasant one. Had some good music and lots of nature sounds and thoughts about life. Zach Gillford was really good, so was Amber Heard. As far as William Hurt concerns, i think he's a brilliant actor and manages to bring up small parts in greater levels.

It was nice, quiet and inspiring. It flowed like a river.

"The River Why" was a life-changing book of philosophy and introspection for me. The book is subtly powerful and I highly recommend it. Such a book requires a journey that takes significant internal time. The book lets you wander comfortably for ages through beauty, ideas, love, and fish -- never realizing until it happens that these wonders are slowly and gradually coalescing into something tangible inside the reader.

There's no way for a movie to do the same thing. And so, of course, this film does not accomplish what the book does.

However, it is true to the book in its own way. For one who has read the book, the movie will take you back into it and help you reawaken that feeling inside. It does this by not trying to to it all, but rather, through music, scenery, and pace, reestablishing the feel.

For one who has not read the book, it's likely to be an enjoyable little glimpse into a tiny piece of a much larger river. Sit down and relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and let the movie happen.

It is hard to point out certain aspects of life. You live a passion but you do not explain it, but how do you talk about it without demising it. Passion is the essence of life and we can only fulfill it when we feel it. You do not always know what you are passionate about. When life starts to expect something from you and it seems tied to you in particular then you understand the real need. We all expect love from our world but we cannot predict from where. When a gravitational pull comes into play you feel its attraction. Loving someone as they truly are is true love and when really expressed it is invisible. In the 'The river why' it is so pleasantly narrated and it makes you wish it was so easy. Unfortunately it is not always like that but the fulfillment in loving is worth the wait.

Gus Orviston (Zach Gilford) is born of an angling family. His father Henning (William Hurt) is a famous writer. His parents often argue over fishing. After one such fight, he leaves to fish on his own. He's taken with fish activist Eddy (Amber Heard). After discovering a dead body, he befriends incompetent fisherman Titus (Dallas Roberts).

The biggest problem with this movie is the lack of hurdles. It makes the story without drama. There is never any obstacles to his family life or the romantic life. There is only one on-screen parental fight before he leaves home. As for the romance, it's cute and sexy but without drama. I don't see any over-arching philosophy being espoused by his non-struggle. This is the lightest of coming-of-age romantic movie.