The River Runner

I can't recommend this documentary enough! The cinematography is absolutely beautiful. The compiled raw footage from years of filming on the rivers is something to behold. One can't help but think about the dichotomy between living your life loving and living your life in fear. The review about the protagonist being "annoying" has to be trolling. I didn't know anything about his story before watching this but I walked away from it having an immense amount of respect for him.

I watched this movie yesterday by happen chance. It looked interesting, so I tried it. The photography and filmography of his river runs are absolutely incredible. What blew me away was his battle with the pituitary brain tumor......because I had the EXACT same symptoms, MRI pictures, and surgery......and the EXACT same after affects, namely the a piece of the tumor was wrapped around my carotid artery that the surgeons could not remove. I was diagnosed when I was 45, but the symptoms started 10 years earlier. What was not mentioned in the documentary, but I would be interested in is that I am on lifetime medication and annual blood tests, and MRI to ensure the tumor does not regrow. I was told I should have at least 10 good years and possibly more. That was 27 years ago, and I'm still going pretty strong:) I wish the same for Scott!!!

My 10 stars may appear a bit giddy at first but it is easy to justify every single one. The director, Rush has done an incredible job, stitching together all this stunning footage, to an original score by 4 separate composers. His meticulous eye and feel for pace helps to create a breathless and often heart-breakingly emotional journey into what it is to be human.

Scott is an extraordinary subject, and Rush swiftly capitalises on this as the film morphs from the testosterone fuelled toxic masculinity world of kayaking gone by and becomes a study on the effects of open hearted vulnerability upon a male who has spent a lifetime hardening up.

Watching somebody become the message from such an extreme starting point was what made this piece so powerful. Scott opened himself up to receive, he achieved and then became the walking medicine for others.

He didn't achieve this turnaround by himself, so huge props have to go to those who supported and inspired him, especially when he needed it most.

This film is a love letter to so many themes; complex river running, the beauty and power of nature, friendship, self-discovery, healing and more.

I must have wept for about two thirds of it!

Rush Sturgis does it again, with this in depth and very personal view of an amazing athlete who has to overcome so much to achieve his dream (obsession). A movie for people who are "of the water" and anyone who loves a well told story of an incredible human being. No matter how well you know this story, River Runner will keep you captivated from beginning to end. 10 freaking stars plus!

It was decent until it became too focused on Scott's life. Sorry, but he sounds like a complete moron. He has been a nearsighted guy his entire life, and in the end, he realizes that not being an idiot to others around you is actually a wonderful thing.

Scott then believes he is healed for the rest of his life, but in reality, it is just the young paddler who is friendly to him, even though Scott would never have been good to him.