Thoughts on "The River Runs Through It" now.
"River Runs Through It," a 1992 American film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Robert Redford, adapts Norman MacLean's novel. Set in the early 20th century, it explores the lives of two brothers, Paul and Norman, in Montana. Against magnificent nature and fly fishing, the film won the Cinematography Award at the 65th Academy Awards. Brad Pitt's performance established him as a young actor. The story revolves around Paul's gambling addiction, Norman's return to teaching English literature, and the tragic event that unfolds as Norman receives a job offer from the University of Chicago on Independence Day.
//Summary//
The article reflects on life, family, and faith through the lens of a film character named Norman. Norman's connection to rivers symbolizes spirituality, with fishing seen as a spiritual act. The narrative explores the intertwining of nature, faith, and family bonds, portraying conflicts and gaps within relationships. The article delves into the profound implications of Norman's reflections, emphasizing the theme of understanding and love amid differences. The river serves as a metaphor for hope and unity, contrasting with the conflicts faced by Norman's family. The enduring tension between ideals and reality is a central theme, expressed through Norman's dedication to fishing.
1)
Now, nearly all those I loved and did not understand in my youth are dead, even Jessie.
But I still reach out to them.
Of course, now I'm too old to be much of a fisherman.
And now I usually fish the big waters alone, although some friends think I shouldn't.
But when I'm alone in the half-light of the canyon, all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul and memories, and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise.
Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
2)
I think many people know this work. The above is a transcription of Norman's line at the film's end. I want to think about it because it has profound implications.
I want to say in advance that I haven't read the original work, so please bear in mind that I may be misinterpreting it.
3)
Without further ado, I would like to note that Norman says that for his family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.
Blessings from nature and rivers, such as rocks and streams, are gifts from God, and fishing to obtain them is strongly associated with gratitude and faith in God.
Rhythmic casting is, therefore, both prayer and beauty. Norman and his friends see fishing not as a sport but as a spiritual act, and the story beautifully depicts fishing.
4)
So it's no surprise that he doesn't get on well with Neil, who sees fishing as a pastime or a sport. This is also seen when Paul tells Neil, "In Montana, church, work and fishing are on time."
An image at the film's beginning suggests a strong connection between nature and faith. Norman's father picks up a rock from the river, saying, "The rain hardened the earth and eventually became a rock. That was 500 million years ago. But even before that, underneath that rock was the Word of God."
5)
There is also a scene where Norman, in response to his father's words, says that if he had listened carefully to the sound of the river, he might have heard the voice of God. The connection between the beginning and the end of the film is an essential key to understanding the meaning of this work.
In other words, the rock represents geology, i.e. reason and Christian faith, but underneath the rock was the Word of God.
6)
Norman's Soul and Memories' is his life and memories, "The Murmur of the River" is his holiness as he tries to hear the voice of God, "The Rhythm of Four Beats" is his prayer, and these are "Twilight creeps into the valley".
At the end of one's life, one's hopes disappear into "the expectation of a fish floating on the surface of a river"; in other words, hope.
"Ultimately, everything will melt into one and become a river. Rivers are the great tide of myth, the hope that has united humanity and its activities since the beginning. And it flows on the rock of faith. Rocks have been solidified over time by river drops from the ground."
7)
The soil is the Word of God itself under the rock, so they have consolidated their faith by following the Word of God.
Therefore, "some of the words" are due to human faith. So Norman, like his father, does not "only" hear God's voice from the river's babbling or beneath the rocks, so there is a deep gulf between them.
There is also a gulf between Norman and Paul. He doesn't have the natural beauty of fishing like his younger brother, so he tries to make up for it with technique. This can be seen by his carrying a box with many flies, including "Banyan Fly No. 2". On the other hand, Paul only has a few things tied to his hat.
8)
The same goes for Paul's lack of understanding about wastefulness and his disagreements about women and marriage. Another difference is that Norman can go anywhere in Chicago, but Paul can't leave Montana.
This family is close-knit and loves each other but faces conflicts they cannot understand. The more they love each other, the more the gaps between them become apparent.
9)
Christ's teachings preach an ideal love, but there is a reality that prevents us from achieving it. As he grows up, his rebellion against his father and the resentment between his siblings become apparent. Yet even the hope that they might eventually understand each other tortures them.
Even though Norman is old and alone, he's still stuck in it. Obedience and rebellion, hope and resignation, joy and sadness, ideals and reality. It won't solve anything, but he'll keep casting as long as he lives. He is "captivated by the river."
Thoughts on "The River Runs Through It" now.
https://note.com/bambawest/n/n93c415a5e8db
Why not take a look at the "life lessons" packed into the beautiful human drama of "River Runs Through It (1992)"?
https://www.niwaka.com/ksm/movie/all-time-best/speech/10/
A River Runs Through It (1992) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsIolBViUmc
River Runs Through It Japanese theatrical trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgciiMl66ak
"The River Runs Through It" A masterpiece created by a fateful encounter between Robert Redford and Brad Pitt
https://cinemore.jp/jp/erudition/860/article_866_p3.html
A River Runs Through It - 7.2/10
Two sons of a stern minister - one reserved, one rebellious - grow up in rural 1920s Montana while devoted to fly fishing.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105265/
Heart-piercing words from the movie "River runs through it".
https://ameblo.jp/n1122hyo/entry-12637340587.html
Add info No1)
A River Runs Through It - film(1992)
'A River Runs Through It' (Brad Pitt, Craig Shaffer. It stars Richard Frydenberg, adapted by Redford and McLean's River'novel's Norman MacLean: Robert Redford and the director of Columbia Pictures. The production company was released in 1992) and is an American film.
The stage was Montana's magnificent nature (especially rivers) and fly fishing. For its beautiful depiction, it won the Cinematography Award at the 65th Academy Awards. Brad Pitt, who played the lead role, established himself as a young actor.
Synopsis
The setting is Missoula, Montana, USA, in the 1910s - 1920s. This was the era of the 30th President Coolidge (who reigned from 1923 to 1929) and the Model T Ford. Her father is a strict Scottish-born Reverend MacLean, her severe and talented older brother Norman, and her cheerful younger brother Paul. The hobby that all three men had in common was fly fishing. Norman eventually left town to attend college in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. While working as a newspaper reporter in Helena, the capital of Montana, Paul became obsessed with poker gambling.
Norman, who returned to the city after college, meets Jesse on Independence Day, and the two begin dating. Eventually, Norman receives a job offer to teach English literature from the University of Chicago, and Norman proposes to Jesse. Just before Norman leaves for Chicago for a job, he and Paul go fishing on the Blackfoot River with their father, and Paul catches a big fish. However, the following day, Norman is contacted by the police and informed that someone has killed Paul.
Add info No2)
We have created a "difficult society" for young people who cannot grow up and have no dreams.
"Individualism doesn't just have a positive meaning."
Mr Akiyoshi Senzaki, a leading figure in the history of Japanese thought, said that now that we can no longer refer to the United States, we would like to reconsider "Japan's dignity" and "the image of the nation."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIzojlmrytE
The US midterm elections were predicted to bring about a vast "red wave," but the Democratic Party launched a good fight, overturning initial predictions. However, many people will say that the close races in both the House and Senate have reminded them of the depth of the division.
According to Mr Akiyoshi Senzaki, a historian of Japanese thought, the division in the United States was due to the collapse of the ideals of "freedom" and "democracy," Japan needs to reconsider this.
He also argues that to overcome this crisis, it is necessary to restore "self-identity" and design a new image of the nation with "dignity." What is the current question of "self-identity" and "national dignity," and why are they necessary?
From some comments on the video:
Brad Pitt was in a film called A River Runs Through It (1992). The film's story is that Brad Pitt goes bait fishing in the wild nature of this river, but he wrote about the original landscape of American religion.
A hall at Harvard University honours Emerson, who thought about the origins of American religion.
He is merging with nature, melting with nature, wrestling with nature's prey called fish, and connecting with a world where the gods are praised. It's based on American religion, which he says is a form of religion.
Having gained military independence from Britain, America has its religious landscape and is a great admirer of nature.
To be able to confront the gods directly in nature is a great way to build self-confidence.
This is their individualism in today's America, their self-confidence in being filled with a sense of self-affirmation in nature, and their enthusiastic attitude towards the elections.
It's a self-help book that aims to awaken the self, and when you read it, it makes you feel better and gives you the background to all the things you're curious about.
