Making It Through: A River Runs Through It and Other Things That Flow
Picture this: you’re sitting in a theater, popcorn in hand, ready for a documentary about a film that’s basically a love letter to rivers, fishing, and the deeply philosophical musings of Robert Redford. Welcome to Making It Through, where the only thing deeper than the river is the existential dread of trying to understand why anyone would want to fly fish in the first place!
Right off the bat, we’re treated to a delightful montage of Redford’s hair blowing in the wind as he reminisces about the arduous process of transforming Norman Maclean’s semi-autobiographical book into a cinematic masterpiece. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about fishing—there’s also a lot of family drama. Who knew casting a line could be so cathartic?
As the film unfolds, we find ourselves swept away (pun intended) by anecdotes from the cast and crew. Apparently, Brad Pitt was so committed to his role that he spent three weeks trying to catch a fish that didn’t exist—turns out it was just a really enthusiastic rock. And let’s not forget the legendary tale of Redford accidentally trying to fish in a fountain at a Hollywood party, mistaking it for a scenic river. The look on the waiter’s face was priceless!
Throughout the documentary, we learn that the real star of the film isn’t Brad Pitt, but rather the rivers themselves. They’re like the moody divas of the film world, demanding the perfect lighting and just the right amount of ripples to convey their emotional depth. There’s even a segment where a river is interviewed about its performance. Spoiler alert: it was “current-ly” very happy with its portrayal!
And let’s not skip over the heartwarming moments where Redford talks about the importance of family and tradition. He waxes poetic about how fishing brings people together, much like an awkward family reunion where no one knows what to say except, “Pass the potato salad!” You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief when they finally get to the fishing part—because nothing says bonding like silently staring at a bobber for hours.
But wait, there’s more! We dive into the behind-the-scenes drama, including the infamous “casting couch” incident where it turned out the couch was actually just a really nice log on the riverbank. The crew spent days trying to convince it to audition. In the end, they decided it was too “stiff” for the role but gave it a great credit as “Log #2.”
As the documentary nears its conclusion, we’re left with a profound sense of appreciation for the art of filmmaking—and an overwhelming urge to go throw a line into the nearest body of water, even if it’s just a puddle. Redford wraps it all up with a reflective monologue that has us questioning our own life choices, like why we didn’t become professional anglers instead of sitting here watching a documentary about it.
In short, Making It Through is a whimsical journey through the making of a film that’s as much about the rivers of Montana as it is about the rivers of our souls. So grab your fishing pole and your favorite snack, because this documentary is a catch you won’t want to miss—unless you’re allergic to fish, in which case, good luck!