As part of their retrospective to honor the late, great Robert Redford, the Belcourt is screening — in 35 mm — A River Runs Through It, Redford’s loving adaptation of Norman Maclean’s semi-autobiographical story about his and his brother’s relationship in early-20th-century Montana, spending their time outdoors fly fishing. The film is one of the best examples of Redford’s talents behind the camera, and stars a young Brad Pitt in a pivotal early role. I had the pleasure of attending the Sundance Film Festival last month for its final year in Park City, Utah, where Redford founded the festival and the Sundance Institute in 1981 to create a community for independent filmmakers and give them a voice. Redford’s spirit was very much felt at the festival. I went to a panel featuring directors Richard Linklater and Gregg Araki, who began their careers with films at Sundance; the pair swapped stories about meeting “Bob,” and about how kind and genuine he was. The volunteers’ official jackets had patches with “In honor of Robert Redford” printed on them. Redford’s earnest, deeply felt film about Maclean’s lessons of courage and grace in the face of uncertainty and tragedy seems an extension of Redford’s own upright character and lasting legacy.
11:45 a.m. Feb. 28 & March 1 at the Belcourt
2102 Belcourt Ave.
