The Maclean brothers, Paul and Norman, live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister, the boys eventually part company when Norman moves east to attend college, leaving his rebellious brother to find trouble back home. When Norman finally returns, the siblings resume their fishing outings, and assess where they've been and where they're going.
Craig Sheffer
Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt
Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt
Rev. Maclean
Brenda Blethyn
Mrs. Maclean
Edie McClurg
Mrs. Burns
Stephen Shellen
Neal Burns
Vann Gravage
Young Paul
Susan Traylor
Rawhide
Nicole Burdette
Mabel
Emily Lloyd
Jessie Burns
William Hootkins
Murphy
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Young Norman
Michael Cudlitz
Chub
Rob Cox
Conroy
Buck Simmonds
Humph
Fred Oakland
Mr. Burns
David Creamer
Ken Burns
Madonna Reubens
Aunt Sally
John Reubens
Uncle Jimmy
Arnold Richardson
Old Norman
MacIntyre Dixon
Police Sergeant
Al Richardson
Mr. Murchison
Jess Schwidde
Mr. Sweeney
Chuck Adamson
Harry the Editor
Rex Kendall
Reporter
Jack Kroll
Reporter
Martina Kreidl
Secretary at Newspaper
Noah Scot Snyder
Copy Boy at Newspaper
Margot Kiser
Sal
Philip A. Braun
Dealer at Lolo
Tracy Mayfield
Bouncer at Lolo
Anne Merrem
Hooker at Lolo
Chuck Tweed
Drunk in Jail
Prudence Johnson
Pavilion Singer
D. Gorton
Pavilion Announcer
Lincoln Quesenberry
Drunk in Alley
Hawk Forssell
Bouncer at Speakeasy
Jim Dunkin
Speakeasy Bartender
Jacob Snyder
Piano Player
Kathy Scharler
Waitress at Speakeasy
Don Jeffery
Black Jack
Byron Dingman
Speakeasy Patron
Cecily Johnson
Speakeasy Patron
Caleb Shiff
Young John
Camille Bonora
Helen Kane Impersonator (uncredited)
Robert Redford
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Director
Robert Redford
Author
Norman Maclean
Screenplay
Richard Friedenberg
December 31, 2020
8
_**Two brothers growing up in Montana during the 20s**_
After WW1, two brothers come-of-age in the Missoula area of Montana; one prudent (Craig Sheffer) and the other imprudent (Brad Pitt). Tom Skerritt plays their father, a wise Presbyterian minister, while Emily Lloyd plays the sensible son’s potential romantic interest.
"A River Runs through It" (1992) was based on the memoir of American author Norman Maclean and is similar to “Legends of the Fall” (1994), but understandably more mundane (in a positive sense). This was Robert Redford’s third directorial effort and it was very successful. It effectively brings to life the Prohibition Era of the 20s and early 30s with their Model T's and speakeasies.
Aside from Lloyd, Susan Traylor appears on the feminine front as a woman with, um, rather loose morals while Nicole Burdette plays the Indian lass that Pitt’s character brings to a speakeasy.
The moral is deep and a little murky, but clear if you reflect on it. Regardless, it’s a great drama that takes you back to rural America during the roaring 20s. If you like “Legends of the Fall” and “The Horse Whisperer” (1998) it’s a must.
The film runs 2 hours, 3 minutes, and was shot in western Montana (Livingston, Granite Falls & Bozeman) with one scene done in Wyoming. Needless to say, the locations are a highlight.
GRADE: A-/B+
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$12,000,000.00
Revenue:
$43,440,294.00