A River Runs Through It

The Story

Set in Montana between 1910 and 1935, the story reflects on the communication gap between two brothers and their minister father, all of whom love fly-fishing.

Cast

Craig Sheffer ... Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt ... Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt ... Rev. Maclean
Brenda Blethyn ... Mrs. Maclean
Emily Lloyd ... Jessie Burns
Edie McClurg ... Mrs. Burns
Stephen Shellen ... Neal Burns
Vann Gravage ... Young Paul
Nicole Burdette ... Mabel
Susan Traylor ... Rawhide
Michael Cudlitz ... Chub
Rob Cox ... Conroy
Buck Simmonds ... Humph
Fred Oakland ... Mr. Burns
David Creamer ... Ken Burns

Older Norman: [narrating] "My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things - trout as well as eternal salvation - came by grace; and grace comes by art; and art does not come easy."

Older Norman: "And I knew just as surely, just as clearly, that life is not a work of art, and that the moment could not last."

Norman: "You're late, Neal."
Neal Burns: "Yeah, yeah, I didn't get in until late."
Paul: "Well, I didn't get in at all but I was here."
Norman: "Neil, Paul. Paul, Neil."
Paul: "Neal, in Montana there's three things we're never late for: church, work and fishing."

Norman: "I'm in deep trouble."
Paul: "Yep. Want me to come over and protect you?"

Norman: "Truth is, I'm not sure I want to leave."
Jesse: "Montana? Why? It'll always be here."
Norman: "Not Montana."
Jesse: "Then what? WHAT?"
Norman: "I'm not sure I want to leave you."

Rev. Maclean: "Each one of here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding."