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've been kayaking a few times. It's fun. Only in calm waters though. The water and kayaking in this documentary is not calm. The River Runner follows Scott Lindgren, pro kayak dude, who's rode some of the gnarliest rivers in the world and sets out to be the first man to tackle the four great rivers that flow from Tibet's Mount Kailash. It's classic dramatic extreme sports doc territory in many ways. Telling Scott's back story of family, growing up in a rough part of the US, brotherly bonds, social nonconformity and outdoor adventures. It's feel good stuff. Kids catching a break, finding a positive focus. That's a key word here, focus. Both in the necessity to have it on the water and the natural focus that Lindgren's obsessive nature gives him. It's built around tons of interviews from Lindgren, family and the extended family of like-minded adrenaline junkies, all spliced together with a ton of home video archive and photos, gleaned from a catalogue of their self produced kayaking films. It's gripping action, but not without an emotional heart. This is dangerous stuff, you can get hurt and people are lost. It's next level kayaking, top level, but Lindgren is a bit of a 'fuck it let's go!' kinda guy. They all tell the story really well. You can feel the passion, the excitement, the danger even now after the events we see onscreen. Despite the skill and talent shown here, it's clear that there's a hefty dose of luck too. These guys look like inconsequential objects in the midst of nature's raw power. Again though it's the emotional undercurrent that packs as punch as Lindgren finds the pressures of success counter to his love of just being on the water. This is much more than a film about Kayaking. There's a huge human story here that's both familiar and fascinating. I'm not going to get into spoilers, so let's just say the twists are not confined to the river. You might come to this for the sweeping drone shots, GoPro footage and white water, but it'll be Scott's story that will anchor you. Proper redemptive positivity stuff!

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.

Beautiful story with amazing adventures and scenery!

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!!!