Racing with the Moon (1984)
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60% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(2,934 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
- Directed By
- Richard Benjamin
- Written By
- Steve Kloves
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Mar 23, 1984 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
Very little seems to happen in this social vacuum, and none of it is memorable.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's easy to end a movie with 'I love you,' but it's hard to get there honestly.
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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.
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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.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Everyone tries hard, but the movie is essentially superficial and has difficulty sustaining audience interest.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Sean Penn
as Henry "Hopper" Nash
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Elizabeth McGovern
as Caddie Winger
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Nicolas Cage
as Nicky
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John Karlen
as Mr. Nash
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Rutanya Alda
as Mrs. Nash
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Suzanne Adkinson
as Sally Kaiser
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Kate Williamson
as Mrs. Winger
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Shawn Schepps
as Gretchen
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Julie Philips
as Alice Donnelly
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Michael Talbott
as Bill
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Patricia Allison
as Mrs. Spangler
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Eve Brent Ashe
as Mrs. Kaiser
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John Brandon
as Mr. Kaiser
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Dana Carvey
as Baby Face
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Gerry Gibson
as High School Principal
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Crispin Glover
as Gatsby Boy
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Ted Grossman
as Skating Soldier
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Page Hannah
as High School Girl
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Al Hopson
as Elmer
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Barbara Howard
as Gatsby Girl
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Arnold Johnson
as Tattoo Artist
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Carol Kane
as Annie
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Michael Madsen
as Frank
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Bob Maroff
as Al
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Walter Matthews
as Sailor
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Charles Miller
as Arnie
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Dominick Nardini
as Soldier with Annie
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Victor Rendina
as Pool Hall Barman
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Max Showalter
as Mr. Arthur
- Steve Lambert
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Scott McGinnis
as Michael
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Victor Paul
as Pool Hall Barman
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Chuck Picerni Jr.
as Bill's Shipmate
- Phil Adams
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Lou Butera
as Pool Player
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Jonathan Charles Fox
as Arnold Billings
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Shane Kerwin
as R.D.
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Arlin Miller
as Minister
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Jan Rabson
as Sailor
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Sue Allen
as Singer
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Fielding Greaves
as Mr. Donnelly
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Phillip Romano
as Bill's Shipmate
