The River Runner

The story and struggle of Scott Lundgren was such Epic masterpiece. The visuals were breathtaking in every way. You get a front seat into a sport and lifestyle few really know. The cinematography was so eye opening and made you feel that you were along for the ride of a pioneer of the sport of kayaking. I highly recommend.

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!

A beautiful and wonderful journey from start to finish.

If you're a film junkie like myself then you'll appreciate the time and effort that Rush Sturges and everyone else put in to make this happen.

I enjoyed it. Not my place to say where it could have been improved. It is what it is.

Thank you.

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!!!