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: ****

BOOK VS MOVIE: Ordinary People

Most people know Robert Redford's directorial debut as the movie that won over Raging Bull. Chances are they've probably never watch the movie, or read the book it's based on for that matter.

The Jaretts are a suburban family recovering from a loss. Buck, the eldest son, has died in a boating accident. Conrad, who was with Buck when he died, feels responsible for his brother's death and has attempted suicide due to his guilt. Beth, the mother who preferred Buck, has shut off her emotions to her family and friends. Calvin, the father, tries to keep the family together in its time of recovery.

The book I found a little slow-paced (probably because I read it after I saw the movie), but I still liked it. The movie I found more engaging, particularly with strong dramatic performances from Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore (!), Donald Sutherland and Judd Hirsch.

What's worth checking out?: I'd go with the movie.

Quiz Show

This year, I have seen two directorial efforts from Robert Redford, Ordinary People (which some people say shouldn't have won Best Picture) and Quiz Show (which some people say should've won Best Picture). I shall be reviewing the latter.

In 1958, the TV game show Twenty-One becomes a popular show thanks in part to contestant Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), a professor at Columbia University. However, the main reason he's staying on the show for so long is that he knew both the questions and answers ahead of time, thanks to producers Dan Enright (David Paymer) and Albert Freedman (Hank Azaria). Herb Stempel (John Turturro), the previous reigning champ, is clearly upset over the ordeal. In fact, Enright and Freedman forced him to deliberately get a question he knows the answer to wrong. Congressional investigator Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow) uncovers facts that shock America.

Despite what's said throughout the movie and in the epilogue, Van Doren claimed that what was shown was inaccurate. But either way, I found Quiz Show highly entertaining.
My Rating: ****