Blyss's Review For:
Main Cast of Characters:
Craig Sheffer....................Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt....................Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt....................Father Maclean
Brenda Blethyn.........Mrs. Maclean
Emily Lloyd.........Jessie Burns
Edie McClurg...........Mrs. Burns
Stephen Shellen.........Neal Burns
Nicole Burdette...........Mabel
Vann Gravage.......Young Paul
Joseph Gordon-Levitt........Young Norman
Susan Traylor........Rawhide
Micheal Cudlitz.......Chub
Rob Cox.....Conroy
Buck Simmonds.......Humph
Fred Oakland..........Mr. Burns
Arnold Richardson..........Old Norman
William Hootkins........Murphy
Jess Schwidde......Mr. Sweeney
Chuck Adamson.......Harry the Editor
Rex Kendall....Reporter
Caleb Shiff.......Young Paul #2
Robert Redford........Narrator (voice)
Rated PG; 1992; 123 minutes;Category: Drama
A tale of two brothers....
This movie is based on the true account of Norman Maclean's life. Born and raised in Missoula, Missouri, the brothers Maclean learned the facts of life, religion and fly-fishing. They were raised in a strict Presbyterian home during the 1920's and were even home-schooled by their minister father. After their studies were over, Norman and Paul were allowed to go fishing which is what they loved to do the best. Even when they were young, Norman knew they were both rebellious in their own way and tough. As they got older, Norman focused his rebellion into his writing and was able to make a name for himself as a professor. Paul also went into writing for a newspaper but he was a scoundrel of sorts. He would get drunk and get into fights where the police would have to come and pick him up. Because of who his father was in this town, the police did not press any charges and would usually have someone come and pick him up. After Norman leaves the small town and comes back, he falls in love with a girl from a neighboring town and thinks that she may be the one. Norman's future is secure in that he knows what woman he wants to marry and where he is going to work. But what about Paul? Paul has changed so much since the last time Norman sees him personally that he does not know what to think. Is his future as secure as Norman's?
To most people, this may not be interesting, but I found the movie quite intriguing. Norman and Paul's sibling relationships were just like my own and so many others. Norman looked after Paul somewhat when they were little and he even looked up to him. As they got older, the roles never changed, yet it seemed that Paul was a little jealous of Norman even though he would never admit to it. I began to wonder as I watched Paul go down further and further as the movie went on if maybe he was in this condition because he was mad at Norman for leaving him and going to college. Eventually Paul moved out of the town and was carousing but was the reason because of his older brother Norman?
I wondered why he would never have accepted assistance from Norman. Norman had always helped him when they were younger and I guess he was still mad at him for leaving. Paul was in gambling debts so bad and Norman knew and tried to give him money. He would not take it. He would not even talk about it. Paul continued to still push Norman and his parents out of his life as the movie went forward. Why would someone turn away the help that they know they need? Do they not want to be helped?
This seems like a very serious film, I know. However, there were some comedic parts in it. One such part is when Norman and Paul take Jessie's brother Neal fishing. He gets drunk and goes to bed in the woods with the town lush. When Norman and Paul find him, they are both sun-burned so bad! The lush is so funny too!
Overall, this movie is one of my favorites and has been since it came out. I loved the historical value of the movie and the costumes. Drama and comedy wrapped into a neat little package. It seems like real life....because it is.
I rate this film: 9
Blyss