Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)

38% of users liked it
(1,621 ratings)

The Saroyanesque Grandview USA focuses on a sleepy Midwestern town and its younger denizens. Bored out of his gourd, recent high-school graduate Tim (C. Thomas Howell), befriends the much-older Michelle (Jamie Lee Curtis), who runs the local demolition derby. Michelle's top driver is "Slam" (Patrick… More The Saroyanesque Grandview USA focuses on a sleepy Midwestern town and its younger denizens. Bored out of his gourd, recent high-school graduate Tim (C. Thomas Howell), befriends the much-older Michelle (Jamie Lee Curtis), who runs the local demolition derby. Michelle's top driver is "Slam" (Patrick Swayze), who though a star on the track is a washout when it comes to affairs of the heart. As the three characters grow closer, each does a lot of growing up. When it sticks to business, Grandview USA can be quite charming; it falters only in a couple of rock-video and fantasy sequences, reportedly tacked on at the insistence of the distributors. The highly appropriate supporting cast ranges from such TV regulars as Troy Donahue and William Windom to such stars-to-be as Jennifer Jason Leigh and John Cusack. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Randal Kleiser
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 3, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Jul 26, 1990

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a forgettable bit of '80s nostalgia.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Another failed film about a small town and its ordinary people.

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Cast

            Jamie Lee Curtis as Michelle "Mike" Cody

            C. Thomas Howell as Tim Pearson

            Patrick Swayze as Ernie "Slam" Webster

            Troy Donahue as Donny Vinton

            Jennifer Jason Leigh as Candy Webster

            William Windom as Bob Cody

            Ramon Bieri as Mr. Pearson

            John Philbin as Cowboy

            Larry Brandenburg as Mickey

            Carole Cook as Betty Welles

            Jason Court as Benny

            Joan Cusack as Mary

            John Cusack as Johnny Maine

            Melissa Domke as Susan Pearson

            Tim Gamble as Larry Hurlbuck

            Elizabeth Gorcey as Bonnie Clark

            Gene Hartline as Fred

            Fern Persons as Teacher

            M. Emmet Walsh as Mr. Clark

            Michael Winslow as Spencer

            Fred Lerner as Tucker Smith

            Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. Clark

            Bob Swan as Fire Chief

            Bruno Aclin as Foreman

            Tony Lincoln as Mr. Kutch

            Taylor Williams as Mr. Fleming

            George Womack as Mr. Whitewood
See full cast