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Created Sep 27, 2010 06:42PM PST • Edited Jun 01, 2014 06:24PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Male bonding, tragic beauty and fly fishing merge into one – and exceptional writing runs through it. With apologies to Norman Maclean, that takeoff from his lauded autobiographical novella describes this treasured movie of the same name. Beautifully constructed by director and narrator Robert Redford, A River Runs Through It can be appreciated on many levels.

   • Not only is it the first movie carried by Brad Pitt, it can be seen as a passing of the torch from one Hollywood golden boy – Robert Redford – to another.
   • The precise language – tart and evocative – stands as an object lesson in the power of writing. Watching a movie based on Norman Maclean’s, in which the young Norman practices at the knee of his demanding father, adds to the resonance.
   • The pristine vistas and rivers of Montana mark it as an uncommonly beautiful nature movie.
   • The art of a skill taken to new levels comes through in Brad Pitt/Paul Maclean’s fly fishing.
   • The unknowability of self-destructive people has rarely been so kindly brought to life.
   • Fathers, sons and brothers see ourselves in at least some aspect of the Macleans.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Brad Pitt established himself as a leading man playing self-destructive golden boy Paul Maclean. Pitt’s trademark boyish bravado shines brightly in his perfect performance.

   Tom Skerritt’s lean and understated demeanor works extremely well as the Presbyterian minister who bonds with his two sons over the sacred practice of fly fishing.

   Craig Sheffer acquits himself well as Norman Maclean, the older brother who wrote this acclaimed story of their family.

   Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays 10 year old Norman. That boy’s got talent and might go on to make something of himself in acting…

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Before Clint Eastwood established himself as a leading director, another superstar actor did the same. A River Runs Through It was the third of eight movies directed by Robert Redford and one of the best.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Perfect 5.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Perfect 5.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

19. Rudeness Salty 1.6

21. Reality

    Glib 1.1

    Calvin Coolidge’s America gets wonderfully evoked.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.3

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0