The River Why (2010)

Genre: Coming of age
Theme: Fly-fishing
Undercurrent: Relationships
Language: English
Watched it over the internet at 1080p

I always wonder how screenwriters believe that they can convert a good novel into a film. In a book, the author has the advantage of time, the audience's imagination and the kind of readers who are willing to spend days to get to the feeling. The last part is the most crucial for novels like 'The River Why' by David J. Duncan, who is a conservationist and an outdoors person. It takes time to connect with nature and a lot of patience to understand that connection. By staying true to the pace of the novel and that feeling, the director and editors have made a gamble that I appreciate. For the first 20 minutes, the movie moves at a brisk pace only to set up the slow style of fly-fishing in scenic locations - minutes seem hours, but never boring.

Leaving a family of fishing-greats, Gus Overston (by Zac Gilford) finds his spiritual self in the woods by living and fishing solo. He lives in a secluded cabin to pursue fly-fishing with great passion. Occasionally visited by outsiders, and his romantic interest Eddy (by Amber Heard), his interactions with the world and with himself in this journey make a deeply philosophical movie that needs lot of patience to appreciate. The climax twist, which is my favorite scene too, is very special as it elevates Gus beyond a good fisherman and into a league of irrational men who have felt the heart of adventure and life. The act of fishing is a self-contemplative passion where the silent journey is the reward than the destination itself. At times, it reminded me of 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway. 

The beauty of such a movie relies heavily on its photography. As it is to be shot near water, deep woods and in shade many times, the task was not easy. Cinematography by Karsten Gopinath and the camera crew takes us to amazing places all over Oregon. Such is the impact of it that I felt like going off for months to a place like that because the scenery is amazing. Such commendable work is associated with a mediocre plot where the family ties go no where. Music seems too repetitive and is just about acceptable. Among the actors, except the lead, the rest just fade away. Overall, this movie is a good watch because of the honesty and respect given to the sport of fly-fishing. The character development of Gus makes an excellent coming-of-age movie that will be as memorable as the efforts put in to understand it.