All lives revolve around decisions and demands from one's past. In A River Runs Through It (1992), director Robert Redford uses this idea and applies it to the true story of two Montana brothers, Norman and Paul Maclean (Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt respectively). Based on Norman Maclean's own autobiographical novel, River uses Maclean's metaphysical beliefs about life and nature to present its many themes. Using a poignant soundtrack, various cinematic devices, and a plot involving themes of youth, loss, and the pitfalls of pride, Robert Redford makes a film about the beauty of the past. The film begins with an elderly Norman fishing in the “Big Black Pied” River. Written by Mark Isham (who won the Oscar for his work on River), the score is sweet and sad. The camera focuses on the elderly hands of the elder Norman, who ties a fly to his fishing line, and lyrically describes his past through voice-over (spoken by Redford himself. These devices tell the viewer that Maclean's past is something to be desired, something to large and not fully understood that is lost forever. Paul and Norman Maclean grew up in rural Montana in the early 20th century. Their father, Reverend Maclean (Tom Skerritt), ran the house with absolute but loving authority The reverend taught the two three subjects at home: reading, writing and fly fishing. Being a strict defender of religious and moral law, the reverend tried with all his might to instill his Presbyterian beliefs in his children. The difference between Paul and Norman is immediately evident in the film. Norman, albeit unhappily, embraces his father's code and standards, while Paul relentlessly fights them. In a symbolic scene, the boys discuss their ambitions... middle of paper... I's legs and forearms, and river rapids colliding with rocks. The viewer is shown that this is a battle between two giants; two entities that Norman has never understood and will never fully understand. Eventually, Paul is swept under the water and reappears in a calm part of the river, holding the fish aloft in celebration. The river is tamed and Paul is finally victorious in his rebellion. This is the final scene where Paul dies in a bar fight the details of which have not been fully revealed. A River Runs Through It is a film about brotherhood, the connection between all things, and the idea that one can ever fully understand another. The story of Norman and Paul Maclean is not unheard of before, but by using staging techniques such as soundtrack, lighting and subject distance, Robert Redford transforms a seemingly ordinary story into a very significant story..