robert redford’s a river runs through it is not a film i watch often .
it is a masterpiece — one of the better films of recent years .
until 1994 , it was my second favorite film of all time .
the acting and direction is top-notch — never sappy , always touching .
a friend of mine once reported that he avoided it because ” i was afraid it would just be really politically correct , and tick me off . ”
all i could do was tell him to go in unbiased , and enjoy .
it is one of the few movies that has completely reduced me to tears .
but certain memories should not often be rereleased — in the last few shots , you have to cry .
upon my first viewing i left bawling .
it is not flawless — but it is so very good , that you can’t help but be effected .
the opening is dangerously nolstalgic and sentimental — watching these shots of people who have been dead so long , gives you a feeling of perspective and history observation that you will find in very few other films .
martin scorsese once described the movies as a dream state — like taking dope , and immersing yourself in an alternative world .
that is what a river runs through it does .
it exploits the unique power of cinema to engross you and help to forget your real self .
both times i’ve seen it , its been hard ( again to quote scorsese ) waking up .
but the dream is lovely .