Taking a Lesson From A River Runs Through It - Movie Review Example

Full Taking a Lesson From “A River Runs Through It” “A River Runs Through It” is a touching story of two brothers, sons of a Presbyterian minister. One could perhaps be considered a good man who walked the straight paths while the other was a prodigal son who has grown to be a wild and carefree person. The older son served during the war when he was very young and went to college afterwards. He became a professor in Chicago, married his first love and lived a more serious life while his younger brother chose to stay in his hometown in Montana. He loved the provincial life that included fly fishing, his favorite pastime. However, he was also quite indulged in gambling, drinking and the dangers such vices are attached with. He had a lot of friends but he also gained enemies who in the end cut his life short. The story practically presents how the two boys were raised as sons of a Presbyterian preacher and how they were taught to catch fish. The summer that the older sibling, Norman, went home from college took most of the period of the narration where it was revealed that the younger brother, Paul, died. Norman and Paul’s story reflects a lot of religious lessons lived by the characters of the story. One can see how they have been raised, being taught every time the father gets a chance to give them a lesson such as reverence to nature, applying balance in how he does things, showing them love and acceptance despite themselves and finally learn how things are connected to each other. From the beginning of the story, it has been evident that as a minister, the father has taken it as his obligation to become a teacher first and foremost in his own family. He spent much time not only in taking care of his flock but especially in taking care of his children. In fact, he personally taught Norman how to read and write as well as fish. He was a conversationalist who resorted to intellectual conversations in disciplining his children instead of getting angry at the wrongs of his children. He applied what God told Moses when they were in the wilderness, instructing them to teach their children in the way they should go, teaching them when they are walking, sitting or lying down. In relation to the manners of the reverend Maclean’s teaching, he made use of time and nature to his children’s education. As he reverenced the time given to him, he managed his activities well so that he was able to have enough time as a husband, a father and a minister all at once. When he performs his duties as a father and teacher to his children, Maclean teaches them about secular matters such as fly catching and allows them to make a connection to Biblical characters such as the disciples who were fishermen. He used the rich Montana nature to connect with God. For instance, when hey were young, the minister walked with his boys and told them a story about stones, mentioning that inside the stones, there are words. Then, he encouraged them to listen to the stones and water in the river. It may have not been implied in the narration but such teaching was a reflection of the natural pantheistic view of revering nature. As a result, in their fishing, the boys were taught to be in tune with the river and the fishes. Although Norman was not able to learn it, he saw how his brother found his own way of communicating with nature. In the movie, there was a scene wherein Paul was able to catch a big fish in an extraordinary manner, a manner of his own. When he brought the fish to his father and brother, he was congratulated and appreciated for his perfect job, being able to swim with the fish so he can catch it. In response, he said that he only needed three more years to think like a fish. This shows an example of the religion of nature, wherein one should synchronize his actions with nature in order to have a peaceful relationship with it. The reverend Maclean showed such character in training his children and it was compounded by his sense of reason. This was evident even during the two boys’ childhood. For instance, when the two brothers fought with their friends, they were reprimanded, not with a whip or a scold but with a time to reflect on the wrong they have done. When they grew up, they borrowed a boat which was wrecked after they tried the dangerous waters yet they were never shouted at by their father or mother. The parents showed them all the love and understanding that they could give instead. Moreover, the father said that they are supposed to pay back every cent the boat was worth, a biblical lesson Paul clearly understood that he offered to work for it himself, claiming it was all his fault. Although the boys did not have a perfect lie as it would have been expected from a minister’s children, it was very clear how they applied the principle of not lying. Even in the midst of danger, even if the Maclean boys knew their father was going to punish them for their misbehaviors, they still admitted their faults and were always ready to face the consequences of which. Reverend Maclean was known as a strict disciplinarian when it comes to his children. Norman for instance had to work hard on his studies, doing his work over and over until his father is satisfied about it. However, he also gave a balance to such arduous task. After his studies, he lets Norman go on his own, with his brother, to discover the world and the law of nature. Such balance is the application of the Chinese belief that in everything there is the existence of opposites to make things become beautifully balanced. As there is the yin, there should be yang, where there is black, there should be black and where there is hard work there should be a time of pure fun. This is what the reverend, although he was a Christian, applied in training his boys. Another biblical principle shown in the movie is acceptance of others no matter what and who they are, treating them without regard to their attitude or status but as brothers. In the Maclean family, the younger child chose to live a life that is full of danger. He loved women, gambling and drinking. As a result, he was often put in danger, fighting with his drinking and gambling buddies. However, he was never treated with contempt but rather was fully accepted and embraced with love despite his attitude. He was treated equally well along with his brother who was excelling in his career. He was appreciated and was never pushed like an unwanted child. As a minister, it could have been embarrassing to have a child who was known to be rebellious, a characteristic so unlike the Christian character Reverend Maclean preached every Sunday. He could have felt ashamed of his son who, even though was also excelling in his career, was oftentimes a nuisance to the community with his drinking, gambling and fighting. Nevertheless, such never occurred. Instead, in addition to being accepted unconditionally for what he was, much love was also shown to the prodigal son. This indeed was a reflection not only of Christian teachings but also of other religious belief, that people should treat other people with love. Lastly, the idea presented at the end of the movie is exposed as a belief in the interconnection of everything here on earth. As Norman said at the end of his narration after his reminiscing and all, that, “Eventually, all things merge into one”. This is reminiscent of the Pythagorean thinkers’ beliefs, who did not only believe in science and religion but that they knew that science and religion are connected with each other. Similarly, as Norman reflects on his life, he realizes the connection of things an events that eventually merge with each other and make the story of his life. Of course, there are perhaps deeper meanings of the things that have been discussed but one thing is for sure, that the life story of the Macleans, is religion put into practice. The father lived his whole life training and teaching people as a minister but more importantly, teaching and training his children, following the instructions of God to the Israelites. In doing so, he applied balance; strictly attending to the studies of his children but leaving them time to spend on their own to learn other things. As the children grew and misbehaved, they were not driven out of the house or condemned by their minister father but were accepted for what they were. The love of the Maclean couple they showed to their children was unconditional so that it could be said they really lived a Christian walk. This perhaps they have done, for the understanding that everything they say and do will eventually have an effect on their children for indeed, everything eventually merge to one. Read More