Worldviews Observed in the Film “A River Runs Through It”
Worldviews Observed in the Film
“A River Runs Through It”
Laura Paul
Colorado Christian University
People come from different parts of the world and possess different beliefs based on the way they were raised. It doesn’t matter where you are if you pay close attention you will notice there are many worldviews around you. The film “A River Runs Through It” is conveyed from a biblical worldview, however the film itself portrays another worldview as well. This story is about two brothers named Paul and Norman growing up in Montana during the 1920s. Their father John is a Presbyterian minister and raises them based on his strong religious beliefs. The film also revolves around the brother’s and father’s love for fly-fishing. In the opening dialogue Norman says, “In our family there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing.” He goes on to say that his father told them about Christ’s disciples being fishermen and how he and his brother Paul believed that John was a dry fly-fisherman. (Redford, 1992) Aside from a biblical worldview depicted in the beginning a postmodern worldview is shown while the boys are running around and stop to look at some women who are standing outside what appears to be a brothel. The boys are also involved in a scuffle with some other young boys. While Paul and Norman are raised in a religious home with very strict rules it’s clear that they are surrounded by people with different upbringings from theirs. Their day-to-day activities show how they interact with these people. It’s evident early in the film that the younger brother is somewhat of a rebel. In a scene the two young boys are discussing what they would like to be when they grow up. Norman the older brother says he’s going to be a minister or maybe a boxer. The younger brother Paul says he’s going to be a professional fly-fisherman. Norman inquisitively asks “not a minister?” Paul demonstrates early on that he has a mind of
“A River Runs Through It”
Laura Paul
Colorado Christian University
People come from different parts of the world and possess different beliefs based on the way they were raised. It doesn’t matter where you are if you pay close attention you will notice there are many worldviews around you. The film “A River Runs Through It” is conveyed from a biblical worldview, however the film itself portrays another worldview as well. This story is about two brothers named Paul and Norman growing up in Montana during the 1920s. Their father John is a Presbyterian minister and raises them based on his strong religious beliefs. The film also revolves around the brother’s and father’s love for fly-fishing. In the opening dialogue Norman says, “In our family there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing.” He goes on to say that his father told them about Christ’s disciples being fishermen and how he and his brother Paul believed that John was a dry fly-fisherman. (Redford, 1992) Aside from a biblical worldview depicted in the beginning a postmodern worldview is shown while the boys are running around and stop to look at some women who are standing outside what appears to be a brothel. The boys are also involved in a scuffle with some other young boys. While Paul and Norman are raised in a religious home with very strict rules it’s clear that they are surrounded by people with different upbringings from theirs. Their day-to-day activities show how they interact with these people. It’s evident early in the film that the younger brother is somewhat of a rebel. In a scene the two young boys are discussing what they would like to be when they grow up. Norman the older brother says he’s going to be a minister or maybe a boxer. The younger brother Paul says he’s going to be a professional fly-fisherman. Norman inquisitively asks “not a minister?” Paul demonstrates early on that he has a mind of
References: Redford, R. (Director). (1992). A River Runs Through It [Motion picture]. Columbia Pictures.