FREE ESSAY ON A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

A River Runs Though It
The movie, A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford, and starring Craig
Sheffer as Norman and Brad Pitt as Paul the younger brother, is about two brothers that
have a close relationship. As their growing up they both rebel against their stern
minister father, each in their own way. This movie takes place in the entrancing
mountains of Montana, with a magnificent river that runs through it. The bond between the
boys starts to fall apart as they face their future both taking two very different roads.
The director effectively uses shots, action and mise en scene to show the directions both
boys have chosen to take. 
In the middle of the clip where the boys are carrying the boat to the river, shots are
used to show which direction the brothers have chose to take. The close up shot of Paul
smiling shows a very eager person. Paul is in the front of the boat showing the viewer
that he is leading the way. Norman on the other hand, is becoming aggravated by Paul's
anticipation for trying this brainless stunt. The close up of Norman portrays to the
viewer that he is not sharing the same feeling as Paul and is wondering how he is going
to get out of shooting the chutes. Later in the scene, there is a close up shot of Paul
standing in front of the river and all the viewer can see behind Paul is the water. This
symbolizes to the viewer that Paul has become one with the water. The viewer at this
point knows that Paul is actually going to go through with this reckless idea. After, the
McLain brothers go over the chutes and are safely on shore, the director shoots a close
up shot of Norman siting on a hill away from the water. In this close up of Norman the
viewer can not see his face it is absent of light showing the viewer that Norman is very
different than Paul. All the viewer can see behind this shot of Norman is the sky,
symbolizing that Norman wants to go out in to the world and not to recklessly throw his
life away. As with shots, action is directed in this clip to show the viewer the uniquely
different directions in life the brothers choose.
Norman's actions seem to be enjoying the boat ride, when Paul and Norman are in the boat
and the water is calm. Norman's actions here show the viewer that he likes life at a calm
and soothing flow. As the water becomes rougher Norman starts to pull back on his oar
trying to slow the boat down. The viewer can see that he is trying to keep the boat from
getting closer to the falls. Paul is laughing and paddling faster. His actions show that
he is not concerned whether he lives or dies. The action of the dangerous waters roaring
over the cliff resembles the life Paul has chose to live. Norman is found at the top of
the hill after going over the cliff, his action show the viewer that he has distanced
himself away from Paul and has chosen to go out into the world and live a safe life. Not
only were shots and action used to show the different paths in life the boy's chose to
take; mise en scene also played an important part in accomplishing this task.
The mise en scene shows the brother's futures unfolding to the viewer in the first scene.
The Mclain brothers are close, the viewer can tell because the brothers share the same
friends and enjoy being together. The viewer can tell that Norman and Paul are both
starting to rebel against their father, because they are both out drinking, going against
their parents rules. In this first scene the brothers are out drinking with their
friends. All the boys including Norman are sitting on the car. This shows the viewer that
Norman likes to be part of the group. Paul is sitting on the ground with his back toward
the viewer. The viewer does not even acknowledge Paul. The mise en scene portrays Paul as
being separated from the group. This indicates to the viewer that Paul's views are
distinctly different from the rest of the group. In the middle of the clip when the boys
have arrived at the river and begin getting out of the car Paul is the first to get out
of the car and grabbing the boat. This shows the viewer that he is eager to try his wild
idea of shooting the chutes. Norman is the last to exit the car. This shows Norman's
reluctance to try Paul's foolish idea. The mise en scene definitely shows the different
directions in life the brothers have chosen to pursue. 
The director expertly uses shots, action and mise en scene to show the different
lifestyles that Norman and Paul have chose for the future of their lives. The director
portrays a levelheaded Norman and a daredevil Paul, using these tools. The director
dramatically shows the distance between the brothers. Through out the whole clip the
viewer is given wonderful clues to what lies ahead. The clip emotionally touches the
lives of the viewers because they know that at any time that Paul is going to die and it
will have a huge impact on Norman. The director did a wonderful job on using these tools
to capture the viewers emotions.