Parents' Guide to

A River Runs Through It

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Beautifully filmed movie about family has mature themes.

Movie PG 1992 124 minutes
A River Runs Through It Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

BubbleLad L.
BubbleLad L. Adult
January 22, 2018
age 16+

Too much profanity

I thought this was going to be a family-friendly movie, since it was about a minister's family. I was wrong. The members of the family used every kind of profanity, including profanity using the names of Jesus Christ and God.

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
colten97
colten97 Parent of 13-year-old
October 11, 2012
age 6+

This movie is very dear to my own Heart! Movies cannot get better than this!

I have read the short story by Norman Maclean, and the movie did justice to Norman Maclean's writing. My husband tends to reread it occasionally, and I myself have read it over and scenes of the movie keeps coming to mind. We have videos of many of Redford ‘s movies and we have watched "A River runs through it" many times. Redford is part of the "famdamily" as he is always around. We never get tired of Redford's perception of Norman Maclean writings, and the beauty of Montana. The script reminds me very much of my own upbringing as my father had the same calling as Mr. Maclean's father. According to "A River Runs Through It," "Methodists are Baptists who can read," a line which by the way is not in the short story, but I think that is a funny line! My husband and I are well-read Baptists! I have heard a movie critic state that the pace of this movie is too slow. I disagree. As one search for inner peace, this is the type of movie that will make you contemplate the beauty of nature in three/four rhythm of the metronome. The photography is outstanding! The acting is great. I love the scene where Norman and Paul as boys talked and wondered whether one could be a fly fisher or a boxer! Then as adult Paul played by Brad Pitt is the "perfect guy" who needs help with his alcoholism but will not accept it. The same applies to Neal Burns, who uses worms as bait, he also needed help but would not accept the fact that he needed help. The scene where Paul refuses to eat oatmeal and the entire family has to wait an eternity to say grace! Finally after hours, they all kneel around the table to say: "Grace!" and they all leave. But the oatmeal stayed on the plate! That scene where the two love birds and their tattoos on their posteriors! That is funny! The sunburn! The drive back home where Jessie Burns decides to go via the train line! Beautiful dialogue when Norman proposes to Jessie because he wants her to come to Chicago with him! Redford himself does a superb job as a narrator. I could not stop myself from comparing Brad to the young Redford. The nominated Director, Producer, Actor, is a visionary who deserves to be praised for his advancement not only in the cinema in the US but around the world. I am glad to live in nineteen hundred because I have seen the beginning of the black and white television, the movies and all the technology and special effects, to be able to watch videos at home and to live in the same century as Redford because I have had the chance to see his works. Redford needs no special effects to show us the beauty of Montana in this masterpiece. The river to me means that line that separates life from death, memories and realities. Redford shows the hands of the Creator so magnificently and a river runs through it.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, Norman and Paul Maclean are raised by a Presbyterian minister father (Tom Skerritt) who taught them their schoolwork, religion, and fly fishing as though they were all one subject; all were taught strictly and thoroughly. Norman (Craig Sheffer), though more sober, loves the wild streak in Paul (Brad Pitt) that makes him "tougher than any man alive," but fears it will destroy him. And it does. While Norman becomes a professor of English literature and falls in love with Jessie Burns (Emily Lloyd), Paul becomes a reporter and gets into trouble drinking and gambling. Norman is called by the police to get Paul out of jail, and, ultimately, he's called again when Paul is killed.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (6):

Based on writer Norman Maclean's autobiographical story of growing up in Montana, this is a moving, powerful drama that combines gorgeous cinematography with earnest, heartfelt performances. IA River Runs Through It isn't perfect, but its father-son themes (and all the fishing) have given it a special place in a lot of grown men's hearts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about adaptations of stories into movies. What do you see as being the challenges in adaptation?

  • How was the culture of Missoula, Mont., in the early 20th century conveyed in A River Runs Through It?

  • This film focuses on two brothers who are opposites in many respects. How were these "opposite" qualities revealed as the film progressed? What are some other examples of movies in which two main characters are "opposites" of each other?

Movie Details

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