Director: Robert Redford
Starring: Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer and Tom Skerritt
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have lit a bright spark as powerfully as Brad Pitt. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Pitt has become an icon. Whether it’s detectives seeking to investigate murders, Formula 1 drivers or fight club owners, Pitt has played several strong characters. Arguably, Pitt’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Pitt has left an impression. Despite reaching age of retirement, Pitt has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. A movie-star with charisma, Pitt has been an icon in Cinema. Throughout his strong career, Pitt has made many bold movies that are definitely worth absolutely talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Pitt and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “A River Runs Through it” is his most underrated film. Released in 1992, Robert Redford’s award-winning film offered a powerful portrait of a fishing family. Packed with breathtaking set design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s a remarkable period piece. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Brad Pitt, portraying the son of a fishing family. Although “A River Runs Through it” is a step g period piece, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that tends to test one’s patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would satisfy fans of period dramas.
Based on the beloved book, “A River Runs Through it” tells the story of a family with a fishing habit. Brad Pitt plays Paul Maclean, a young son of a fishing family. Paul always has had the passion for fishing in the rivers that he shares with his father Rev. Maclean (Tom Skerritt). However, Paul’s life changes when he is separated from his brothers by academic pressure. Faced with a dilemma, Paul questions his lifelong love for fishing in America. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Paul questions his love for fishing in the river. Seeking to reunite with his family, Paul embarks upon a journey to discover his identity.
Robert Redford is fascinated with the lives of dysfunctional families that are fractured. A fantastic filmmaker, Redford has created engaging movies about families which face disaster. His iconic movie “Ordinary People” offered a strong portrait of a dysfunctional family facing the obstacles of grief that are unimaginable. With “A River Runs Through it”, however, Redford crafted his first literary adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to adapt a legendary book about a fishing family but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Redford captures a fishing family embarking on a journey to find its identity. Emulating Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Redford effectively uses closeups to capture tension of families that prove dysfunctional. For instance, closeups enhance the family argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Paul engages in an intense argument with his family over his life priorities. Closeups are tricky techniques to employ in films. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, closeups enhance classic serial killer movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Redford captures tension that dysfunctional families are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “A River Runs Through it” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best films about fishing you will ever see. Recalling Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”, Redford effectively uses locations of rivers across America to capture fishing that earns applause. For instance, the locations of rivers elevates the fishing scene. During this unforgettable scene, Paul embarks on a trip to the river to go fishing with his family. Through river locations, Redford creates a portrait of fishing that’s riveting. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Mark Isham’s music contributes to the success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden that fishing families bear. Using strong production, Redford captures fishing families facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A River Runs Through it” is a period piece that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the life of a fishing family. The film seamlessly switches back and forth among two timelines: flashbacks of Paul’s past with his family and present-day fishing journeys. For instance, flashbacks elevate the brother separation scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Paul recalls memories of separations from his siblings causing tensions. Through flashbacks, Redford constructs a portrait of a fishing family audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” proved definitely, flashbacks enhance classic movies about aging. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this move. Though an excellent screenplay, Redford captures fishing families that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Brad Pitt delivers one of his finest career performances as Paul. Pitt first achieved appreciations portraying owners of fight clubs in psychological films. With “A River Runs Through it”, however, Pitt took on his most unusual role. It isn’t simple to play a member of an iconic fishing family but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he conveys the angst, bravery and strong spirit of an enthusiastic member of a fishing family. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Brad Pitt, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Craig Sheffer is captivating, capturing authoritative nature of a brother in a fishing family which is torn apart by disaster. Tom Skerritt is excellent, bringing charisma to a reverend seeking to care for a family with a fishing habit. Lastly, Brenda Blethyn merits appreciation. As the mother of fishing families, she’s memorable.
Although “A River Runs Through it” is a truly powerful period piece, it isn’t a flawless film. Redford’s decisions to integrate subplots on religion into the film is admirable but doesn’t succeed. Due to this poor technique, scenes capturing Rev. Maclean’s religious journeys aren’t as engaging as his interactions with his family. As Terrence Mallick’s “The Tree of Life” proved, subplots about religions often enhance psychological dramas. Therefore, “A River Runs Through it” can’t capture the tensions faced by fishing families in books audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Brad Pitt will enjoy “A River Runs Through it” and so will audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold family drama, it honours an actor that has charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic movie about a fishing family drawn to a beautiful river, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has established a bold legacy though his abilities to portray strong characters in memorable movies audiences treasure.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 