Disappointing drama. Some moving moments while fly fishing, but a senseless tear-jerker end just seems desperate.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:37
Fresh:30
Rotten:7
Average Rating:6.7/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: An adaptation of Norman Maclean's much-loved autobiographical novella about fly fishing and familial relations set in the pristine Montana wilderness of the early 20th century. The story traces... An adaptation of Norman Maclean's much-loved autobiographical novella about fly fishing and familial relations set in the pristine Montana wilderness of the early 20th century. The story traces the relationship between two brothers growing up in an emotionally constricted household headed by a Presbyterian minister. The scholarly Norman follows in the footsteps of his stern, stoic father, going to college, marrying and settling down. His older brother Paul -- daring, handsome and athletic -- chooses the more glamourous career of newspaper journalist. These two very different brothers are brought together through the years by a mutual love of fly fishing instilled in them by their unyielding father. As Norman watches his brother's seemingly charmed life dissolve under the influences of gambling and alcohol, the art of fly fishing becomes a poignant metaphor for the love their father was unable to express in any other way. [More]
Starring: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Emily Lloyd
Starring: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Emily Lloyd, Brenda Blethyn
Director: Robert Redford
Director: Robert Redford
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Jul 28, 2009
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Region 0
- Keep Case
- Package Note: Region ABC
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dubbed, Subtitles - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
Featurette:
- 1. Deep Currents: The Making of
- 2. The Blackfoot Challenge: Rescuing A River
- 3. Casting A Line: A Beginner's Guide To Fly Fishing
- 4. On The Blackfoot River - Looping Video Environments
Additional Products:
- Booklet
Reviews for A River Runs Through It
What compels Robert Redford to make movies from seemingly impossible subject matter?... Whatever the motivation, we are the richer for his labors.
Although heart-throb Pitt steals the film to some extent, veteran actor Skerritt scores highly with his outstanding and heartfelt portrait of the watchful father.
This may work for you if you settle at the outset for a nostalgic, all-American mood piece.
Redford and his writer, Richard Friedenberg, understand that most of the events in any life are accidential or arbitrary, especially the crucial ones, and we can exercise little conscious control over our destinies.
This is a movie that is not only highly entertaining but will remain etched in the memories of audience members for some time to come.
Sherritt has been in a lot of movies, but the role of Rev. Maclean seems like one he was born to play. He owns it, the way that Pitt and Sheffer own theirs, and as a result it takes no time at all to believe this group as a family and become involved.
There is too much taste, discretion and detachment in Redford's rendition of MacLean's sprawling family saga, but the scenery and Brad Pitt are nice to look at due to Philippe Rousselot's gorgeous Oscar-winning cinematography.
Don't be put off by the fact that this is a fishing movie, A River Runs Through It is about as absorbing as it gets.
A specialist in bringing books to life as movies, Redford has a knack for finding what matters in the text and making sure it ends up on screen.
A very unusual Hollywood movie: it is literary and it has a heart of gold.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- A River Runs Through It at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



