A River Runs Through It
A lyrical Montana family drama follows two brothers whose shared love of fly fishing cannot erase the widening consequences of their different choices.
Overview
A poignant exploration of family bonds and the passage of time through the lens of fly fishing.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- lyrical
- wistful
- melancholic
- quiet weekend
- reflective evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's beautiful cinematography, talented cast, and Brad Pitt's breakthrough performance, while finding its tasteful period drama somewhat stately.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Norman's perspective turns the brothers' Montana childhood and adulthood into a recollected family chronicle.
Repeated fly-fishing outings and Montana rivers provide the film's defining imagery and emotional vocabulary.
Norman's prudence and Paul's rebellious gambling and trouble gradually pull the brothers onto different paths.
The story's reflective narration, river imagery, and focus on memory create an elegiac atmosphere around the Maclean family.
Films like A River Runs Through It, and why
Legends of the Fall
shared period drama setting, sibling relationship, masculine coming-of-age, and sweeping natural landscapes
The Tree of Life
shared reflective family drama, rural American setting, lyrical narration, and themes of memory and loss
The Spitfire Grill
shared coming-of-age drama, sibling tension, pastoral setting, and emotionally restrained treatment of family bonds
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Redford
- Release Date
- 1992-10-09
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1244)
Cast
- Craig Sheffer
- Brad Pitt
- Tom Skerritt
- Brenda Blethyn
- Emily Lloyd
- Edie McClurg
- Stephen Shellen
- Vann Gravage
- Nicole Burdette
- Susan Traylor
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A River Runs Through It about?
- A lyrical Montana family drama follows two brothers whose shared love of fly fishing cannot erase the widening consequences of their different choices.
- What is A River Runs Through It like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A River Runs Through It as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A River Runs Through It violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A River Runs Through It as mild.
- What did critics think of A River Runs Through It?
- Critics broadly praised the film's beautiful cinematography, talented cast, and Brad Pitt's breakthrough performance, while finding its tasteful period drama somewhat stately.
- Which films are like A River Runs Through It?
- Films with a similar feel include Legends of the Fall, The Tree of Life, and The Spitfire Grill.
- How long is A River Runs Through It?
- A River Runs Through It runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch A River Runs Through It?
- In United States, A River Runs Through It is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
