There’s no rule saying that in a post-The River Runs Through It world you can’t make another film exploring the bonds of family and the transformation from adolescence to adulthood through the perspective of fly fishing. There are still plenty of metaphorical fish left in that narrative stream. Unfortunately, if you do decide to make that film, it’s damned hard to avoid comparisons to the Robert Redford classic. The River Why doesn’t blaze enough of its own trail to completely escape that fate, falling drastically short in how it explores a son escaping his father’s shadow by letting it fall-off almost completely, but it does develop a nice little romance between a young man uncertain of his purpose and a the woman who helps him recognize the truth treading water right in front of him.
Chafing under the ego of his famous father (William Hurt), Gus (Zach Gilford), an avid flyfisherman in a family of such, burns his bridges at home and heads off into the wilderness to pursue a life devoted to fishing. His routine of expertly catching fish and selling them to others gets a few hiccups when he’s flagged down by a reporter (William Devane), impressed by his skills and who begins interviewing him on a regular basis about his experiences. The interviews allow Gus to reconnect with Eddy (Amber Heard), a mysterious girl he had a chance encounter with, and who pushes Gus to see things in new ways. His recurring appearances in the articles make Gus something of a celebrity and soon he discovers that he’s made something of himself quite unexpectedly.
The very basic story of self-discovery in The River Why follows a formula found in so many films before it that it has little to offer. Even the romance with Amber Heard, who plays her part well, feels like a rehash of every other where an introspective guy is forced to come out of his shell by the unpredictable girl that drives him crazy. Where The River Why could have added some badly needed depth, in the relationship between Gus and his father, the film cuts it off entirely. He may be finding his own path, but Gus feels rather undeveloped by the time the credits roll, and it’s largely due in part to the story feeling half-baked, like significant pieces have been omitted to allow for other lines that could have been cut short.
The River Why’s major success is the well-captured beauty of Oregon’s rivers and forests. Director of Photography Crash has a fantastic eye for the wilderness, and the serene shots bring a badly needed depth to some of the film’s quieter moments.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
Interviews with the cast and Director Matthew Leutwyler are the only extras.
"The River Why" is on sale November 8, 2011 and is rated PG13. Drama. Written by John Jay Osborn Jr. (screenplay), Thomas A. Cohen (screenplay), David James Duncan (novel). Starring Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan, William Devane, William Hurt, Dallas Roberts, Zach Gilford.
