Rating: 
Summary: Unabashed fan
Review: The original short story is a better story, but I am an unabashed fan of watching the fly fishing and seeing the beautiful mountain scenery in this visually gorgeous film. Brad Pitt shows real acting genius in this one, too.
Rating: 
Summary: a cinematic sucess
Review: A River Runs Through It fits into the elite category of movies that can be enjoyed by audiences ranging from pubescent boys and girls to nursing home residents.
The movie owes much of its success to two eye-catching elements: the cinematography and Brad Pitt.
Set on the banks of Montana's Blackfoot River around World War I, A River Runs Through It tracks two brothers' coming of age. Norman the poet (Craig Sheffer) and Pauley the playboy (Pitt) grow from playful youngsters into scheming teenagers and then become individual adults with only one thing to keep them connected to each other: fly fishing. It is based on Norman Maclean's autobiographical novel of the same name and was released in late 1992.
Unlike many of other movies, A River Runs Through It exists with only an ounce of cheesy romance. Richard Friedenberg's writing revolves around a simple plot and sticks to it. The story focuses on the metamorphosing relationship of siblings from childhood to adulthood and the narration gives it a "The Wonder Years" sort of feel. Each character, no matter how minor, is well-developed. They lead happy-go-lucky lives where everything is fine and dandy, unless you break the golden rule. "In Montana there's three things we're never late for: church, work and fishing," says Paul.
As much a part of this story as the script and characters is the setting. Sunbeams streaming past lush clouds, through tall trees and falling onto crashing waters are the backdrop of the film. Philippe Rousselot, who won an Oscar for this film's cinematography, captures the simple beauty of nature in the arc of fish leaping over water and a fiery, red-orange sun washing over neverending plains of tall grain.
While most of the people in A River Runs Through It are customary and not very memorable, Pitt's Paul Maclean stands out as the beautiful sore thumb of Missoula, Montana. Aside from the repeated image of his sun-washed chest wading above the clear waters, he transforms to dancing a jig, brawling inside a speak-easy and drowning his worries away over shots of whiskey, to being a mama's boy for a brief second. This is the film that well-deservedly gave Pitt's acting credibility.
It is no coincidence that Pitt bears a striking resemblance to a young Robert Redford throughout the film. Redford, who directed and co-produced A River Runs Through It, cast himself as the ever-present narrator and, undoubtedly, wants his presence felt in every aspect of the film that is now a classic.
A River Runs Through It utilizes the best of each film element - from acting to writing to cinematography - to produce a piece enjoyable to a wide audience.
Rating:
Summary: "Witnessing Perfection"
Review: Watching a river runs through it was one of the best choices I've ever made. If we can make movies like this more often then our movies future might not be as bleak and bland as Armeggedon and independence day make it seem. This movie is a wonderful story about 2 boys coming of age in early 1900s montana. Parents be warned, there is breif nudity but it's not sexual. This is A wonderful film topped only but the even more wonderful Shawshank redemtion. Go see it now!
Rating:
Summary: A River Runs Through It...
Review: This film is a true masterpiece. While I teach this movie, I watch it five times a day and I still can't keep my eyes off of it. This is one of the only films that is better than the book! The acting is subtle and superb. The story is as timeless as it is tragic. Own this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Worth seeing over and over
Review: The scenery alone makes this worth watching. But the story line and fine acting add to it and make it one that is entertaining over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Good story about relationships
Review: It's hard to classify this movie. I guess it's a "drama", but nothing particularly dramatic happens. Mainly it's a chance to watch the interplay of personalities, mainly between the father and the two brothers. Oh, and there's some really pretty scenery and some fancy fishing. To enjoy this movie, you have to be prepared to sit back, relax, and be receptive to a slow unfolding of the story's subleties. A little bit like the way people enjoy fishing, come to think of it. The DVD version is great for maximizing the scenic aspect of the movie - this really requires the wide-screen format. Not too much in the way of bonus materials, though.
Rating:
Summary: A better story has never been told...
Review: This has always been one of my favorite movies. Fly fishing with my father is beyond that of just an excersise in play. There is a spirituality about being out on the river with a pole in hand, casting inner releases to the sky, and the river. This DVD does not come with many extra features on paper, but being able to watch this movie in true cinematic form is the greatest feature of all. The sunshine of the river at dawn, the greens and browns of Montana, truely breathtaking. In my opinion, this is the greatest story ever told, and is told with that much more emotion when seen through DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Overlong but enjoyable
Review: Superbly photography and an unbelievable score do (believe it or not) compensate for a predictable and overlong story. It's still fairly entertaining however and beautiful to look at, with all actors at the top of their form. Good family viewing. Just don't look for originality or much depth.
Rating:
Summary: As close to the novella as modern movies can get!
Review: I've seen many movies whose stories have been bent so far, they vaguely resemble the true intentions of the author. That's surely not the case with Robert Redfors's version of A River Runs Through It. Seeing the Big Black Foot makes Maclean's descriptions fall perfectly into place. Sheffer and Pitt made great Macleans! If you've read the novella, the movie's a MUST!
Rating:
Summary: A rare pleasure
Review: A rare and special movie. There is an ineffable, poetic quality about this movie that touches deeply. Few movies capture so well the bittersweet passing of youth to maturity, constrained love, the wonder of the moment. This is a masterful work by Redford. The understated performance from Tom Skerritt as the preacher father is right on. Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer play of each other well. Watch and enjoy.
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