Promised Land (1988)
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73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
50% of users liked it
(10 ratings)
Three friends face the disappointments of adulthood in this drama. Growing up in Ashville, Utah, a small town where traditional ideals still cling stubbornly to the hearts and minds of youth, Davey Hancock (Jason Gedrick) is the star of the high school's championship basketball team. Pretty… More Three friends face the disappointments of adulthood in this drama. Growing up in Ashville, Utah, a small town where traditional ideals still cling stubbornly to the hearts and minds of youth, Davey Hancock (Jason Gedrick) is the star of the high school's championship basketball team. Pretty cheerleader Mary Daley (Tracy Pollan) is Davey's girlfriend, and bright Danny Rivers (Kiefer Sutherland) is his best friend. Two years after graduating from high school, reality has dimmed their dreams; while Davey won a college scholarship to play ball, he washed out of the team and ended up back in Ashville, where he's now a police officer. While Davey still sees Mary, she wants more out of life than Ashville or her relationship with him can give her. And when Danny, who has spent much of his time since high school drifting in search of an ambition, returns to town to visit Davey and Mary, he brings along a surprise -- Bev (Meg Ryan), a drug-addled floozy with an unstable personality (and a gun) whom he married in Las Vegas three days earlier. Promised Land was also released on home video under the title Young Hearts. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Hoffman
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 22, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 21, 2003
- Studio
- Focus Features
Critic Reviews
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Caryn James, New York Times
Promised Land tries hard to win you over but finally wears you down with its sincerity.
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, Time Out
The film has a lot going for it though, with its beautiful snowy landscapes, empty highways, and committed playing from the cast.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Many scenes are extended to the point that all potential dramatic tension is drained out of them.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Gedrick and Pollan give character to the cliche's with their heartfelt work, and Sutherland and the show-stealing Ryan bring depth and weight to a potentially tiresome pair.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Clumsy, heartfelt and promising.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jason Gedrick
as Davey Hancock
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Kiefer Sutherland
as Danny Rivers
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Meg Ryan
as Bev
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Tracy Pollan
as Mary Daley
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Googy Gress
as Baines
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Deborah Richter
as Pammie
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Oscar Rowland
as Mr. Rivers
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Sandra Seacat
as Mrs. Rivers
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Jay Underwood
as Circle K Clerk
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Herta Ware
as Mrs. Higgins
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Todd Anderson
as Pat Rivers
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Kelly Ausland
as Ashville Basketball Player
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Charles Black
as Preacher
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Cindy Clark
as Vera
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Walt Logan Field
as High School Coach
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John Garrison
as Mr. Daley
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Dave Jensen
as College Coach
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Michael Ruud
as Cowboy in Casino
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Victoria Holloway
as Cleo
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Lisa MacFarlane
as Jenny
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Spence Ashby
as Flagman
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Bob Bedore
as Falcons Basketball Player
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Troy Bench
as Falcons Basketball Player
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James Cash
as Park Employee
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Adam Christensen
as Ashville Basketball Player
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Dorothy Conrad
as Mary's Grandmother
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Gae Cowley
as Mrs. Daley
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Grant Gottschall
as Bassford
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DeBorah Green
as Kate
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Matthew Karas
as Park Employee Dultz
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Tony Kruletz
as Charlie
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Jeff Lindsay
as Falcons Basketball Player
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Richard Matthew
as Mel
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Herb McGarvey
as Riley Riddle
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Gene Pack
as Mayor of Ashville
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Shane Perry
as Ashville Basketball Player
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Fenton Quinn Jr.
as Flagman
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Theron Read
as Hasting
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Don Steffey
as Rudy Riddle
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Tom Thornquest
as Falcons Basketball Player
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Zeke Totland
as Falcons Basketball Player
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Greg Weichers
as Ashville Basketball Player
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L.L. West
as Toy Store Clerk
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Joseph Yeates
as Kate's Husband
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David Valenza
as Glenn
