A River Runs Through It movie storyline. Robert Redford’s lyrical direction sets the tone for this evocative adaptation of author Norman MacLean’s memoir of his idyllic Montana youth. The MacLean family is presided over by the strict but encouraging Rev. MacLean (Tom Skerritt) and his loving wife (Brenda Blethyn).
Craig Sheffer stars as the young Norman, the older son in his family, who takes his school work and writing a bit too seriously for Paul (Brad Pitt), the impetuous younger son, to take much stock in. Paul would rather have a good time, drink and play cards than get involved with academic study. Where Norman wants to be a college literature professor, Paul would prefer to stay in Montana all his life and wrangle some kind of job writing for a local newspaper. But, ironically, Paul is the better fly fisherman and in this way attains a sense of perfection.
The film also details the MacLean boys’ involvement with a colorful group of town’s people — including a young Indian woman Paul decides to date and the defiant Jessie (Emily Lloyd), whom Norman later marries.
A River Runs Through It is a 1992 American drama film directed by Robert Redford and starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd. It is a period drama based on the semi-autobiographical novella A River Runs Through It (1976) written by Norman Maclean (1902–90), adapted for the screen by Richard Friedenberg.
Set in and around Missoula, Montana, the story follows two sons of a Presbyterian minister – one studious and the other rebellious – as they grow up and come of age in the Rocky Mountain region during a span of time from roughly World War I (1917–18) to the early days of the Great Depression (1929–41), including part of the Prohibition era (1919–33).
The film won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1993 and was nominated for two other Oscars, for Best Music, Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film grossed $43,440,294 in US domestic returns.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Directed by: Robert Redford
Starring: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, Emily Lloyd, Edie McClurg, Nicole Burdette, Susan Traylor, Michael Cudlitz, David Creamer
Screenplay by: Richard Friedenberg
Production Design by: Jon Hutman
Cinematography by: Philippe Rousselot
Film Editing by: Robert Estrin, Lynzee Klingman
Costume Design by: Kathy O’Rear, Bernie Pollack, Reese Spensley
Set Decoration by: Gretchen Rau
Art Direction by: Walter P. Martishius
Music by: Mark Isham
MPAA Rating: PG for momentary nudity, and some language in a family drama.
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures
Release Date: October 9, 1992
Hits: 274
