“A River Runs Through It,” a 1992 Robert Redford film about two brothers in Montana’s stunning landscapes, is a masterpiece.
Set against a calm river, the film explores sibling ties and personal growth. Norman and Paul Maclean’s relationship with each other and their environment is intertwined with themes of nature’s beauty and life’s difficulties.
The movie metaphorically depicts the Maclean family’s connection to the Big Blackfoot River and their rural heritage. As the brothers navigate boyhood and adulthood, their experiences mirror the river’s ebb and flow.
Redford’s directing and cinematography create a universe where the river reflects life’s journey: calm but turbulent, quiet yet unexpected.
Also Read: Where Is ‘A River Runs Through It’ Filmed? Plot & Locations
15 Drama Like A River Runs Through It
1. Legends of the Fall (1994)
Edward Zwick’s 1994 epic drama “Legends of the Fall” follows a Montana family in the woods during World War I and its aftermath.
Anthony Hopkins plays Colonel William Ludlow, a retired army officer, and his three sons, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), Tristan (Brad Pitt), and Samuel (Henry Thomas). The family lives on a ranch in Montana’s magnificent landscapes, rugged and idyllic.
The film explores love, loss, and family relationships. Samuel falls for Susannah (Julia Ormond), while Tristan’s passion and adventure take him far from home. The family struggles with tragedy and post-war existence during World War I.
“Legends of the Fall” examines the Ludlow family’s intricacies, each son’s challenges, and their relationships with others. The harsh Montana terrain symbolizes their turbulent emotions and relationships.
Also Read: Where Is The ‘Legends Of The Fall’ Filmed? All About The Shooting Location And Cast!
2. Into the Wild (2007)
Sean Penn’s 2007 film “Into the Wild” is moving. Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who quits his normal life for self-discovery and adventure.
Christopher, played by Emile Hirsch, graduates college and rejects status and materialism. He gives his savings to charity, sells his stuff, and breaks up with his family. As “Alexander Supertramp,” he travels the country to experience America’s natural landscapes and find meaning in life.
Christopher meets Wayne (Vince Vaughn), a farm owner; Rainey (Brian Dierker) and Jan (Catherine Keener), a couple who help him and befriend him; and Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook), an elderly man who becomes his surrogate grandfather.
His ultimate goal is to live off the land in Alaska’s wilderness. The film alternates Christopher’s road trip with flashbacks to his family, especially his parents (Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt) and younger sister Carine (Jena Malone).
3. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
The story has three interrelated portions about different persons and times.
Part 1: Motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) turns to crime to support his young kid and Romina (Eva Mendes). Bank robbery puts him in danger of Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper), a rookie police officer. Their meeting causes a tragedy that affects their families.
Part 2: Avery, now a lawyer and parent, navigates his profession’s moral complexities and familial conflict. He is caught up in police corruption and deception.
Part 3: Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), the teenage kids of Luke and Avery, are bonded by their past. Their lives intersect unexpectedly as they struggle with their identities and their fathers’ legacies.
“The Place Beyond the Pines” examines how fathers’ sins affect their sons’ lives.
4. Stand by Me (1986)
The story follows four friends, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell), in the summer of 1959. The pals go to Oregon to find Ray Brower’s body after learning its whereabouts. Their physical and mental journey is a turning point in their lives.
As they travel the railroad tracks, the lads face their worries, insecurities, and growing up. Their camaraderie is strained as they manage their family histories and personal challenges.
The nostalgia and transitory purity of youth are captured in “Stand by Me.” The boys share their dreams, secrets, and insecurities through their adventures and chats, and their understanding and support strengthen their friendships.
Also Read: Stand By Me Filming Locations: Where Was The 1986 Movie Filmed?
5. The Descendants (2011)
The plot follows rich Hawaiian lawyer and landowner Matt King (George Clooney). His life changes when his wife, Elizabeth, is comatose after a boating accident. Matt finds Elizabeth had an affair as he grieves his wife’s death.
Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alexandra (Shailene Woodley), his wayward daughters, are left to Matt. The family’s emotional agony is complicated by Matt’s decision over a precious piece of ancestral land he and his extended family hold. The cultural and historical land sale leads Matt to examine his principles and obligations.
Matt searches for his wife’s affair partner while juggling fatherhood. He discovers unexpected connections with his girls and reassesses his life and priorities.
6. The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
The narrative takes place in rural Winterset, Iowa. Italian war bride Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) lives a calm life on a farm with her husband Richard (Jim Haynie) and their two children.
Francesca meets rough and worldly photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) in town to capture Madison County’s historic covered bridges while her family is enjoying the State Fair.
Over four days, Francesca and Robert form a passionate bond. They create a friendship that challenges societal expectations and personal commitments as they explore bridges and talk.
While struggling with their emotions, Francesca and Robert must make a life-changing decision that will affect them and others. The film contrasts their brief romance with its lasting impact on both characters.
7. Ordinary People (1980)
The Jarrett family in suburban Chicago is the focus. Calvin Jarrett (Donald Sutherland) and Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) have a teenage son, Conrad (Timothy Hutton). The family is still grieving Buck, the oldest son, who died in a sailing accident. Conrad survived. The Jarretts are grieving and feeling guilty, and their family has become distant.
The film follows Conrad home from a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide. Survivor’s guilt makes him feel like an alien in his family and daily life. Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch), a psychiatrist, helps Conrad cope with his trauma and emotions.
Family strife emerges during Conrad’s therapy. Beth is emotionally distant and preoccupied with looks, while Calvin seeks to reconcile with his son. Each family member copes with pain and seeks healing throughout the film.
8. Seabiscuit (2003)
Three intertwined lives: Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), a charming businessman; Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire), an undersized and driven rider; and Tom Smith (Chris Cooper), a horse trainer with an instinctive understanding of animals.
Seabiscuit, a seemingly ordinary racehorse with a fiery temperament, joins these divergent lives. Howard sees potential in Seabiscuit, despite its small size and poor record. Red Pollard bonds with Seabiscuit and Tom Smith to nurture his talents.
Through exhilarating race sequences and heartbreaking moments, “Seabiscuit” shows the triumph of the human spirit and the lasting bonds between humans and animals. The film’s emotional depth and historical background tell the narrative of unusual heroes who overcome adversity and win a generation.
Also Read: 50 Best Racing Movies To Watch In 2023
9. Terms of Endearment (1983)
“Terms of Endearment” is a sincere and emotional drama about a mother and daughter’s complicated relationship across three decades.
The picture centers on Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma Horton. Aurora is strong-willed and opinionated, yet she loves her kid despite her oddities.
The film covers Aurora and Emma’s ups and downs throughout time. Aurora flirts with her neighbor Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson) as Emma struggles with love and marriage. The video shows the mother-daughter connection through joy, sadness, and personal growth.
10. Good Will Hunting (1997)
The film follows Will Hunting, a self-taught math whiz from Boston. Will is smart yet works as an MIT janitor and hangs out with his pals, often getting into trouble. His talent is noticed when he answers a difficult arithmetic problem placed on a whiteboard by Professor Gerald Lambeau anonymously.
Lambeau, pleased by Will’s skills, offers him counseling and academic help to turn his life around and escape incarceration. Will is at first skeptical, but he bonds with his therapist, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), a kind and perceptive guy who helps him face his turbulent background and emotional wounds.
Will falls in love with Skylar (Minnie Driver), a smart medical student, as he opens up to Sean and grows. However, his self-doubt and fear of vulnerability threaten his happiness and success.
11. The Way, Way Back (2013)
Duncan (Liam James), a 14-year-old kid, is forced to spend the summer at a seaside town with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), and her controlling boyfriend, Trent. Duncan finds Water Wizz, a neighborhood water park, while attempting to fit in at home.
Duncan encounters flamboyant and carefree Water Wizz employee Owen (Sam Rockwell), who mentors him. Duncan comes out of his shell, gains self-confidence, and feels like he belongs at the water park, thanks to Owen and the other workers.
Duncan befriends Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb), a park girl who shares his thoughts of being an outcast, while his bond with Owen grows. They overcome adolescence and learn the power of being themselves.
Also Read: Where Is The Way Way Back Filmed? All About The Locations
12. My Life as a Dog (1985)
The film follows 12-year-old Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius), who is taken to live with his uncle and aunt in a remote community after his mother becomes unwell. Set in the 1950s, the narrative follows Ingemar’s hardships and his changing environment.
As Ingemar adjusts to his new life, he meets a varied cast with unique stories. Ingemar takes comfort in his creative imagination and his relationships despite his struggles. The video depicts his anguish, comedy, and amazement as he navigates childhood’s confusion and pain.
13. Dead Poets Society (1989)
The film follows charismatic English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) at Welton Academy in the 1950s. Keating uses unconventional teaching approaches to inspire pupils to think for themselves, question society, and seize the day. He inspires people to follow their aspirations by teaching them “carpe diem” (seize the day).
Keating leads a group of friends—Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke), Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen), Knox Overstreet (Josh Charles), and others—on a self-discovery adventure. Inspired by Keating’s teachings, they organized a secret group and revived the Dead Poets group to study and debate poetry.
Families, school administrators, and society confront kids as they discover their identities and goals. Neil is particularly pressured by his father to pursue a predefined course, which has deadly repercussions.
14. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The film follows banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is falsely convicted of murder and condemned to life. He befriends Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), a longtime Shawshank inmate notorious for his contraband. Andy remains hopeful, resilient, and honest despite their dire situation.
Andy earns unique privileges and respect by helping jail officials and convicts with his financial knowledge over time. A huge building project also plays a role in his escape preparations.
15. Wild (2014)
The film is based on Cheryl Strayed’s (Reese Witherspoon) memoir about her 1,100-mile PCT trek. After her mother (Laura Dern) dies, and her marriage ends, Cheryl resolves to undergo this difficult trip to face her demons, discover inner strength, and rebuild her life.
Cheryl battles extreme weather, weariness, and loneliness on the path while also facing her inner demons and history. Cheryl’s turbulent past and actions are shown in flashbacks throughout the film.
“Wild” is a dramatic examination of self-discovery, resilience, and nature’s healing influence. Cheryl’s PCT adventure symbolizes her salvation, self-forgiveness, and rejuvenation. She meets other hikers who support and bond, stressing similar human experiences.
16. The Tree of Life (2011)
Middle-aged Jack O’Brien’s childhood in suburban Waco, Texas, in the 1950s with his parents and two younger brothers, R.L. and Steve, affected his life. The conflict between his parents, especially his father, is causing him emotional anguish.
Both his parents loved him and his brothers, but in different ways that often conflicted. His mother overcared for her children and sought to instill a feeling of wonder. To practically prepare his children for a challenging world, his father was unbending and did not accept disobedience.
Also Read: Movies Similar To Perks Of Being A Wallflower That You Should Watch
