Et au milieu coule une rivière

When I saw previews for this film, I thought "Its a movie about fishing, why would I want to see that?" This is as much of a fishing movie as Hoosiers is about basketball, or Field of Dreams is about baseball.

The story is elegant, the narrative beautiful, the characters deftly drawn. The relationship between the father and two sons is really interesting, and I love the interplay between them. There is great sadness, and also great humour. While nostalgic, I don't think the film ever becomes maudlin, and by the time the film draws to its inevitable close, I feel the same sense of loss and regret every time.

This movie does what films are supposed to do - touch one's heart and mind.

The closing lines, taken from a short story by McLean, are as haunting as they are beautiful:

"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul and memories. And the sounds of the Big Black Foot River and a four count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

'A River Runs Through in' is a cinematographically stunning true story of Norman Maclean in the untamed west of Montana in the 1920's. The story follows Norman and his brother Paul through the experiences of life and growing up, and how their love of fly fishing keeps them together despite varying life circumstances in the untamed west of Montana in the 1920's. Mornings are spent studying, afternoons devoted to fly-fishing in the nearby river. However, the family's inability to express hints at trouble at come. And so while nice guy Norman (Craig Scheffer) matures and dates good girl Jessie (Emily Lloyd), reckless Paul (Brad Pitt) turns to liquor and gambling. They grow up under the watchful eye of their father, a Presbyterian minister (the ever-marvelous Tom Skerritt) of Scots descent and their beloved mother (Brenda Blethyn). In the meantime, Paul gets a job as a prolific journalist and makes a name for himself back home. The movie is about Norman's return home and his and Paul's summer together. The Story of an American Family !. Nothing perfect lasts forever. Except in our memories.

A pleasant film that should be seen calmly and let yourself be captivated by the photography, the natural sounds and the poetry that emanates from the words. Following the lives of two siblings through the experiences of life and growing up, and how their love of fly fishing keeps them together despite varying life circumstances. This is a brilliant and touching story, although sometimes results to be slow-moving and tiring, but is developed with real intelligence and extreme sensibility. The river is a quasi-mystical past-time which serves as the movie's central metaphor: while they cast their lines and wait, the boys learn the importance of harmony, brotherhood, family affection, grace and patience. In the picture is treated ethic and moral themes narrated with great sense of fairness and ductility. Robert Redford -who reads passages from Norman MacLean's source novella in voice over- explores the brothers' changing relationship with restraint and intelligence; however, because events are filtered through the author's fictional persona, certain sequences involving Paul lack his much-needed perspective. A litte of humour brings things back to earth, ans saves the movie from becoming over-earnest.

It displays an excellent and attractive musical score by Mark Isham, including a catching leitmotif. Besides, exceptional and awesome cinematography by cameraman Philippe Rousselot , being stunningly shown on the marvelous outdoors in the mountains, rivers and forests from Granite Falls, Wyoming, Livingston, Montana, Bozeman, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Livingston, Montana. This sensitive and enjoyable film was well directed by Robert Redford. This great Hollywood actor ha directed a few but notable films, such as: the first and Oscarized ¨Ordinary People¨, ¨The Milagro Beanfield War¨, ¨The Horse Whisperer¨ , ¨Quiz Show¨, ¨The Legend of Bagger Vance¨, ¨Lions for Lambs¨, ¨The Conspirator¨, ¨The Company You Keep¨, ¨Catedrals of culture¨ and this ¨River runs through¨. Rating: 6.5/10. Leave your preconceptions about fishing at the door, you'll be caught hook, line and sinker. Shot with nice sensibility and good feeling, that's why it's a worthwhile film that will appeal to Brad Pitt fans.

When I first saw this movie I was with my dad. He encouraged me to watch this movie because it was one of his favorites. After watching the movie it instantly became one of mine.

A River Runs Through It is about two brothers who each take a different path in life. Norman Maclean (Craig Sheffer) is the older of the two brothers and sets out on the path of education. Paul Maclean (Brad Pitt) is the rebellious younger brother who travels on a path full of obstacles.

The story follows these characters as the each walk their own path. There is no downside to this film. You will be entertained the whole way through. The acting, directing, and script are all perfect. The two things that are exceptional are the cinematography and the score. Both bring you into the world Robert Redford creates.

This is an all around great film that is destined to be a classic. It sure is in my book. If you haven't seen it definitely watch it as soon as you can, because it will stay with you forever.

I have read the short story by Norman Maclean, and the movie did justice to Norman Maclean's writing. My husband tends to reread it occasionally, and I myself have read it over and scenes of the movie keeps coming to mind. We have videos of many of Redford ‘s movies and we have watched "A River runs through it" many times. Redford is part of the "famdamily" as he is always around. We never get tired of Redford's perception of Norman Maclean writings, and the beauty of Montana. The script reminds me very much of my own upbringing as my father had the same calling as Mr. Maclean's father. According to "A River Runs Through It," "Methodists are Baptists who can read," a line which by the way is not in the short story, but I think that is a funny line! My husband and I are well-read Baptists!

I have heard a movie critic state that the pace of this movie is too slow. I disagree. As one search for inner peace, this is the type of movie that will make you contemplate the beauty of nature in three/four rhythm of the metronome. The photography is outstanding! The acting is great. I love the scene where Norman and Paul as boys talked and wondered whether one could be a fly fisher or a boxer! Then as adult Paul played by Brad Pitt (Se7ven) is the "perfect guy" who needs help with his alcoholism but will not accept it. The same applies to Neal Burns, who uses worms as bait, he also needed help but would not accept the fact that he needed help. The scene where Paul refuses to eat oatmeal and the entire family has to wait an eternity to say grace! Finally after hours, they all kneel around the table to say: "Grace!" and they all leave. But the oatmeal stayed on the plate! That scene where the two love birds and their tattoos on their posteriors! That is funny! The sunburn! The drive back home where Jessie Burns (Emily Lloyd) decides to go via the train line! Beautiful dialogue when Norman proposes to Jessie because he wants her to come to Chicago with him!

Redford himself does a superb job as a narrator. I could not stop myself from comparing Brad to the young Redford (Barefoot in the Park). The nominated Director, Producer, Actor, is a visionary who deserves to be praised for his advancement not only in the cinema in the US but around the world. I am glad to live in nineteen hundred because I have seen the beginning of the black and white television, the movies and all the technology and special effects, to be able to watch videos at home and to live in the same century as Redford because I have had the chance to see his works. Redford needs no special effects to show us the beauty of Montana in this masterpiece. The river to me means that line that separates life from death, memories and realities. Redford shows the hands of the Creator so magnificently and a river runs through it.

Craig Sheffer (as Norman) and Brad Pitt (as Paul) are Montana sons-of-a-preacher man Tom Skerritt (as Reverend Maclean). You will immediately notice the breathtaking Montana scenery - photography by Philippe Rousselot, direction by Robert Redford, with an obviously adept cast and crew. The kids playing the younger Macleans were quite an asset; I did recognize Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an impressive debut (though not his first). As I was watching, I thought: well, it looks all nice, but what's happening? I was unsure about the film's focus. The film is often slow and confusing, even if you are familiar with the Norman MacLean story; and, this is a somewhat alternate version/vision of the original written work.

And, I realized what I was watching. It happened twenty minutes (or so) after the kids "grew up" - this is the story of Norman Maclean's remembrances… the touching stones of his life. They may not be the things you'd believe an old man remembers; but, by the end of the film, you know. You'll understand the focus on his brother, with that magical quality that just slipped away… Perhaps, there was no perfection there; but, you'll know why Norman sees it. You'll know why that memory of the perfect fly fisherman is there.

Just a few other thoughts: At the risk of over-analyzing, I felt the characters of Norman, Paul, their father, and Redford merging into ONE character at the end of the film; I wonder if Redford intended it that way? His direction, narration, and lead performances seemed blend together… Directing, Preaching, Fishing, the River - it all runs together; and, we're all water. The end of the film is very powerful.

********* A River Runs Through It (1992) Robert Redford ~ Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn