A River Runs Through It Reflection

A River Runs Through It

              I watched A River Runs Through It several years ago and really enjoyed it. So, I got excited when I saw it was on the course schedule and signed up to do it for my LEAD Respondent presentation. Apart from enjoying Brad Pitt’s role in this movie, I am particularly fond of the messages that this film coveys, which I will discuss later. But what does this title even mean? Well, that’s a question I am still trying to answer, and I am beginning to think that there is not a concrete explanation.

              The first theme I analyzed was risk taking. Paul is the clearly the most adventurous character in the film, living every moment to the fullest. He seems fearless, especially when he and his brother shoot the chutes in a canoe. He also has the courage to bring an Indian girl to the bar, even knowing that doing so is clearly against the house rules. Paul exhibits a natural tendency to make a statement; he makes a decision and doesn't look back. Even as a child, Paul refused to eat oatmeal because he did not like it – resulting in a lonely timeout for several hours. He is a character without regrets. However, one can also argue that Norman is the more adventurous of the two brothers. Norman goes off to school “into the unknown” while Paul stays home. Paul admits that he will never leave Montana, showing his complacency. In this sense, Norman is the more courageous character.

              The next theme I analyzed was responsibility. What makes one person responsible for the well-being of another? What are the limits or expectations of one’s responsibility? Norman struggles to answer this question for himself. Paul clearly needs guidance, but doing something he doesn’t want to do would be against his nature. Norman offers him money, advice, and even a ride home from jail, but Paul would rather hold onto his pride. Their parents also try to express their worry, but their words go unheard. The film suggests that one can only give help as it is accepted. One person’s ability to help another is limited by the extent someone will allow you to help. This notion is somewhat melancholy; you can fix people who don’t want to be fixed, regardless of how much you love them.

              Finally, I analyzed an essential component of Paul and Norman’s relationship: competition. Like most brothers, competition fuels Paul and Norman’s relationship. They constantly try to out-do the other. This is clearly evident when the two brothers are fishing; whoever catches the biggest fish is the undisputed champion of the day. Additionally, the two brothers continually compare themselves to each other. Norman admits to Jesse that he is not as good of a dancer as Paul. He also acknowledges Paul natural ability to fish, comparing him to an extraordinary artist. However, the roles switch when Norman out-fishes his brother on an occasion. In turn, Paul admires Norman’s success – academic success, that is. After one fight they ever had – after shooting the chutes – they wondered who was the toughest.

In order to accurately understand all of the themes and messages of the film, I re-watched important scenes of the film multiple times. Each time I watched them, I sometimes picked up on a subtle quote that had important significance. And to be honest, the film gets better and better each time I watch it. However, I am still struggling with understanding several quotes:

“We can love completely without complete understanding.”

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”

“I am haunted by waters.”

Thought provoking right? Well, I’m still trying to grasp the meaning of these passages. In fact, I am beginning to think that they do not even have concrete meanings, and, rather, carry a metaphorical significance.