Film Analysis: A River Runs Through It

The movie entitled “A River Runs Through It” focuses on the connection between two brothers, and the relationship they each have with the rest of their family. Growing up in an emotionally constricted household, headed by their minister father, each brother has his own personal challenges. The brothers grew up following in their father’s footsteps, but one slipped away, Paul, as he got caught in the current, which led him to make bad decisions. The other son, Norman, planted his feet in the ground, and put his studies first, turning out to be a successful young man. Even though the boys were raised in the same household, each turns out to be a direct contrast of the other, with differing values and perspectives on the world. Having an emotionally …show more content…
He took risks not worth taking and was fearless. When Norman went away to college, Paul stayed at home, attending a local college and never drifted far from home. He became a writer for the local newspaper and had no interest in going to Chicago, when Norman offered him to come. Paul was heavily caught up in gambling, and his debt was growing, but he never ran away from it. When Norman came home from college, he found out that Paul had both a drinking and gambling problem. Norman became concerned because the police officer had informed him that they had been picking up Paul frequently for public disturbance and drunkenness. Although Paul was out of control and reckless, Norman admired him because of his bluntness and passion for life. Norman saw first had what Paul had been doing on the edge of town at Lola’s, known for prostitutes ad gambling. Norman also witnessed a fight between both Paul and other gamblers. Paul would not leave Lola’s, even after Norman insisted, and tried to drive away. Paul was known as the family clown, for he was unique because he was the youngest and the second born. Paul had always had a difficult time knowing what to do with his life. Paul was never dependent on others, but was unwilling to leave Montana and his childhood home. Paul was always getting in trouble and did not worry about what others thought. An example of this is when Paul persuaded a bouncer to let a Native American girl he met, into a all white club. Many people in the club were disgusted as they danced sexually on the dance floor. Norman had to come to the rescue later that night and pick up Paul and his date from jail, both passed out on the floor from drinking too