As the film begins, we see the rippling water of a river, and then the hands of an old man tying a fly:
Older Norman - [narrating]:
A River Runs Through It quotes
Page 2 of 3In my family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.
We lived at the junction of great trout rivers in Missoula, Montana.
Where Indians still appeared out of the wilderness to walk the honky tonks and brothels of Front Street.
Long ago, when I was a young man, my father said to me... "Norman, you like to write stories?" And I said, "Yes, I do." Then he said, "Someday, when you're ready... you might tell our family story. Only then will you understand what happened and why."
We shift to a montage of old photographs, first of young Paul and Norman, then the entire family, and finally of Missoula, Montana:
Older Norman - [narrating]:
From the scene: "Last-Minute Attempt". As Norman and Paul fish, for what would be the last time, Norman in attempt to save his brother, asks Paul to come with Jessie and him:
Paul Maclean: Oh, I'll never leave Montana, brother.
The three Maclean men go fishing together after Norman and Paul get into trouble for chuting the rapids in a "borrowed" boat. After Norman puts down his fish, and then Paul puts down a bigger one, and finally the Reverend John puts down one bigger still.
Reverend Maclean:
Jessie sits in a rocking chair by the window reading a letter from Norman after they have had their first date.
Older Norman - [narrating]:
Older Norman - [narrating]:
Norman goes to the train station to meet the Burns family as they await the arrival of the oldest son, Neal, who is arrive from Hollywood.
Older Norman - [narrating]:
Couldn't you find him?
The hell with him.
Well, I thought we were supposed to help him.
How the hell do you help that son of a bitch?
By taking him fishing.
He doesn't like fishing. He doesn't like Montana and he sure as hell doesn't like me.
Well, maybe what he likes is somebody trying to help him.
As I live and breathe.
Rawhide [hungover]
Buster here wants to fish.
You're late, Neal.
Neal Burns Yeah, yeah, I didn't get in until late.
Well, I didn't get in at all but I was here.
Neal, Paul. Paul, Neal.
Neal, in Montana there's three things we're never late for: church, work and fishing.
Neal Anywho, this is... [introducing Rawhide]
So, what do you think?
Jessie
What do I think? I think it's the berries!
You do?
Jessie
Yeah, to get away, Chicago, God it's haven.
Have you ever been?
Jessie
No, not anywhere. Helena. Congratulations Norman!
Truth is, I'm not sure I want to leave.
Jessie
Montana? Why? It'll always be here.
Not Montana.
Jessie
Then what? WHAT?
I'm not sure I want to leave you.
Hello, Jess.
Jessie
Hey, Paul.
How's your brother?
Jessie
You both left him alone.
Well, I'm sorry about that. That was my fault.
Jessie
Well, you're not forgiven.
Was Norman forgiven?
Jessie
Norman's not funny.
Jessie
If he came back next summer, would you try and help him?
If you wanted me to.
Jessie
Well he's not coming back.
Well, at least he's got friends out there.
Jessie
Who Ronald Coleman? Why is it the people who need the most help... won't take it?
I don't know Jess.
The world is full of bastards, the number increasing rapidly the further one gets from Missoula, Montana.
Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing to help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding.