Movie Review: The River Why



"Set on the banks of a wild river, The River Why is the story of 20 year old Gus Orviston , the Mozart of flyfishing (Zach Gilford, "Friday Night Lights"), who leaves his big city home in rebellion from his parents (Willam Hurt, "Into the Wild" and Kathleen Quinlan, "Apollo 13") to live in a secluded cabin on the banks of a wild river and do nothing but fish.
Instead of finding fishing bliss, his desolation drives him on a reluctant quest for self-discovery.
In the process he comes in contact with an assortment of eccentric characters who help him in his journey to adulthood - including a philosopher (Dallas Roberts,"3:10 to Yuma"), a reporter (William Devane, "Hollow Man") and a mysterious woman (Amber Heard, " Zombieland") who will change his life forever.
Most of all, The River Why is a love story.
The love of a man for the wilderness, and for a beautiful woman who comes to share it with him."

My Review:


Last evening I downloaded The River Why from iTunes. A couple of years ago, I made an attempt to read the book over winter, but, it was too much of a downer for me. However, I was always curious in how it ended. I know it's billed as a coming of age drama using fly-fishing as backdrop, and I love a chick flick as much as the next sucker (Especially when whatching one with a Chick), but this movie missed the mark across the board with me. My first problem: I didn't like or care about any of the characters. And this wasn't just me... Twenty minutes in, the girlfriend said "This sucks" and checked out. Each character was so deep and serious, I felt like I was in a group therapy session. Second Problem: I never bought into the love story between Gus and Eddy or Gus and fishing quite frankly. Thirdly: Gus is a pussy. Sorry, but the facts are the facts. Give me Paul Maclean kicking as and catching trout any day of the week.
There were a few bright spots... Number one being the beautiful Oregon scenery and beautiful fish (They routinely kill).
Half way through The River Why I was asking myself "Why am I sill watching this??" Save your money and by some leaders, or spit shot. This gem will be playing at noon on the Lifetime channel soon I'm sure.

I give this movie 1 CHUB <;((((((--< and yes, that means it sucks.

-AK

A quick fix





It was suppose to storm yesterday... So, I made plans to meet up with Johnny Hondo, look over some art he's having done for his business, and share a few PBR's.

It didn't storm... In fact, the weather was beautiful. Almost 80, slight breeze, a regular chamber of commerce day. And I was at work, with visions of caddis dancing on the water. I had a feeling the bite was on... Finally, I could no longer take it. I left work a little early (sorry Chris, just a lil early... Hope you're having fun in FLA), ran home, grabbed my gear and some clothes for dinner and headed for the river... It was 5:18.

I jumped out of the trout wagon, grabbed my pre-rigged rod, and headed to my first stop... It was 5:26. I had a simple plan to hit 5 different spots that I know hold fish... Ten to twenty casts in each, fish for an hour, change clothes and still make it to the bar by 7:00.

Third cast... BOOM.... Thirteen inch brown pounded my fly. The bite was on!! I drug my flies through the run and moved to the next stop quickly, ten casts, no luck... Reeled in and moved on. Next spot, a deep fast run... I tied on a new fly I had tied the night before and cast....BOOM...a nice health 10" brown. Three cast later, another... I glanced at my watch... It was 6:02.

I moved to the top of the run and drifted my fly inches I front of the log jam. The water was as clear has I've ever seen it. It looked like August, and felt like it too! I was sweating profusely and my glassed where getting completely fogged over. I was so impressed with my beautiful drift that when a fish darted out from under the log and grabbed my fly, I was taken by surprise and I missed it... The trout would have easily been the fish of the day.

The sun went behind the clouds of a front moving in, and the bite shut off. The next two spots produced no fish. I knew I was getting short on time and became distracted, casting from tree to bush to snag and back into the tree. I looked at my watch... 6:42!! Time to head in.

I quickly threw my gear into my ride, stripped down and took a quick "Amish bath" (deodorant and cologne), put on some jeans, t-shirt and flip flops and I was off! It was 6:50.

Needless to say, I was fashionably late... But Johnny Hondo was at the bar holding court, so he didn't seem to notice. The ice cold PBR'S couldn't have tasted better.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Catch and release water