Racing With the Moon (1984)

60% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(2,882 ratings)

Sean Penn graduated to full stardom with the 1984 drama Racing with the Moon, even though the film itself hardly set new box office records. Set in the early years of World War II, the film stars Penn as a small-town teen-aged hotshot, six weeks away from being shipped out to fight overseas. In the… More Sean Penn graduated to full stardom with the 1984 drama Racing with the Moon, even though the film itself hardly set new box office records. Set in the early years of World War II, the film stars Penn as a small-town teen-aged hotshot, six weeks away from being shipped out to fight overseas. In the meantime, Penn begins to date Elizabeth McGovern, whom he assumes is from a wealthy family. Penn's pal Nicolas Cage, who's gotten his girlfriend Suzanne Adkinson pregnant, imposes upon Penn to hit up McGovern for the abortion money. That's when Penn discovers that the girl barely has a penny to her name. Convinced that Penn cared for her only when he thought she was rich, McGovern walks out on him, but later teams up with Penn to help the unfortunate Adkinson. The plot is pure James Dean, a fact not lost on fans who regarded Sean Penn as the second coming of Dean. A very slight piece, Racing With the Moon is buoyed by the engaging performances of the stars, and by director Richard Benjamin's meticulous attention to period detail-especially in those peerless bowling-alley and skating-rink sequences. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Richard Benjamin
Written By: Steve Kloves
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 23, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Nov 30, 2004
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's easy to end a movie with 'I love you,' but it's hard to get there honestly.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
An exceptionally appealing movie about subjects you may think you've already had enough of -- growing up, first love and the shouldering of arms and other responsibilities.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
I don't care for Benjamin's way of using death to validate his sentimental themes, but at this point any American movie that can get past the 'I love you's without audience snickers has to be counted a success.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Everyone tries hard, but the movie is essentially superficial and has difficulty sustaining audience interest.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A sentimental view of small-town life in WWII, in which the railroads and train station are just as important as the human characters.
, Time Out
Very little seems to happen in this social vacuum, and none of it is memorable.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
Sean Penn manages to strike that perfect balance in depicting a teenager who wants to be bad but is really good at his core
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A small movie about first love with abundant emotional riches.
, Film4
It lacks [My Favourite Year's] winning charm.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I need to watch this movie again, I barely remember it.
Leo L

A personal favorite. Now, this is a movie I don't mind seeing every now and then.

Cast

            Sean Penn as Henry "Hopper" Nash

            Elizabeth McGovern as Caddie Winger

            Nicolas Cage as Nicky

            John Karlen as Mr. Nash

            Rutanya Alda as Mrs. Nash

            Suzanne Adkinson as Sally Kaiser

            Kate Williamson as Mrs. Winger

            Shawn Schepps as Gretchen

            Julie Philips as Alice Donnelly

            Michael Talbott as Bill

            Patricia Allison as Mrs. Spangler

            Eve Brent Ashe as Mrs. Kaiser

            John Brandon as Mr. Kaiser

            Dana Carvey as Baby Face

            Gerry Gibson as High School Principal

            Crispin Glover as Gatsby Boy

            Ted Grossman as Skating Soldier

            Page Hannah as High School Girl

            Al Hopson as Elmer

            Barbara Howard as Gatsby Girl

            Arnold Johnson as Tattoo Artist

            Carol Kane as Annie

            Michael Madsen as Frank

            Bob Maroff as Al

            Walter Matthews as Sailor

            Charles Miller as Arnie

            Dominick Nardini as Soldier with Annie

            Victor Rendina as Pool Hall Barman

            Max Showalter as Mr. Arthur

            Steve Lambert
            
            Scott McGinnis as Michael

            Victor Paul as Pool Hall Barman

            Chuck Picerni Jr. as Bill's Shipmate

            Phil Adams
            
            Lou Butera as Pool Player

            Jonathan Charles Fox as Arnold Billings

            Shane Kerwin as R.D.

            Arlin Miller as Minister

            Jan Rabson as Sailor

            Sue Allen as Singer

            Fielding Greaves as Mr. Donnelly

            Phillip Romano as Bill's Shipmate
See full cast