A River Runs Through It

It seems throughout the 1990s there were films that didn't earn the recognition they deserved. (Some of my favorites include Gods and Monsters, Shallow Grave and Topsy-Turvy.)

Another film is Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It. Released a few years before his second Oscar darling Quiz Show, the film is a quiet observation of rural life. It's a lovely little film.

Brad Pitt may be the main draw for the film with Tom Skerritt and Brenda Blethyn providing solid supporting work, but the star of A River Runs Through It is Craig Sheffer. He watches the many changes of his life go by, solely as a witness and so rarely as a participant. (He does chronicle his memories of those days.)

Another main focus of A River Runs Through It is the Oscar-winning cinematography by Philippe Rousselot. (It's very clear as to how it won.) Gorgeously capturing the Montana wilderness, it's as much of a character in the film as the Maclean family.

A River Runs Through It is quite good, though not as great as Ordinary People or Quiz Show. The four main stars are also quite good. It's worthy of a look.

My Rating: ****