The Indian Runner (1991)

74% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(5,369 ratings)

The Indian Runner, Sean Penn's debut film as director (he also wrote the script, based on the Bruce Springsteen song "Highway Patrolman") is a brooding tale of two brothers -- one peaceful and sedate, the other violent and aggressive -- whose natures, left unchecked since they were children, are set… More The Indian Runner, Sean Penn's debut film as director (he also wrote the script, based on the Bruce Springsteen song "Highway Patrolman") is a brooding tale of two brothers -- one peaceful and sedate, the other violent and aggressive -- whose natures, left unchecked since they were children, are set to the boiling point as they head toward middle-age. David Morse is the quiet brother, Joe Roberts, who is a deputy sheriff in a small town. His older brother Frank (Viggo Mortensen) shows up on Joe's doorsteps, after a recent run-in with the police. Frank tells Joe that he is coming back home to stay and that he has given up his criminal life. His wife Maria (Valeria Golino) is skeptical, but Joe tells her that he is prepared to help Frank get his life back together. Frank has almost convinced himself that his future holds real promise and he's ready to start a new life with his pregnant girlfriend Dorothy (Patricia Arquette). But, once again, Frank's violent temper explodes, and everyone's plans for Frank's future crumble into rubble. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 7 min.
Directed By: Sean Penn
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Dec 11, 2001
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Rambling, indulgent and joltingly raw at times, Sean Penn's first outing as a director takes a fair amount of patience to get through but has an integrity that intermittently serves it well.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Loose, rambling and sometimes rudderless as it is, "The Indian Runner" has a fundamental honesty that gives it real substance.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Penn surrounds his brothers with supporting characters who are so well-realized, I'll remember them as long as I remember the leads.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Penn is trying to get at gritty American ''truths'' about love, brutality, and blood ties. Somehow, though, it's all a bit pat: By now, even these stark themes have the ring of movie conventions.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The film is slow and pretentious, but it's a feature debut and Sean Penn, a distinguished actor, is good with his cast.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Muscular if overwrought drama with great performances.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Penn's first project as writer/director is a film out of time, drenched in an overbearing '60s world-view which veers between the dated and the dopey.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Probes the love/hate relationship between two brothers destined to follow different stars.
, Film4
Penn's generosity to his actors is welcome, and Mortensen and Morse make the most of it with substantial performances, but a tighter reign might have livened up a film that at times becomes a little ponderous.
Bill Craske, Senses of Cinema
Although the camera always gives precedence to the actor, Penn is not just merely a manipulator of theatrics. He conjures up superb images rivalling anything in modern American moviemaking.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

Not sure but I guess that I may have been able to appreciate it more had I understood it more.
Christopher B

Great Penn movie with two amazing actors doing some of their best work... oh yeah, and one God (Bronson) taking a hiatus from ass kicking to give an amazing performance. It's awesome how Penn uses great actors the world has forgotten about (Bronson, Mickey Rourke and Michael O… More
Great Penn movie with two amazing actors doing some of their best work... oh yeah, and one God (Bronson) taking a hiatus from ass kicking to give an amazing performance. It's awesome how Penn uses great actors the world has forgotten about (Bronson, Mickey Rourke and Michael O Keefe in The Pledge, Morse at the time) and gets the performances of a lifetime out of them. A great story about 2 brothers with different mindsets and ideals. And Bronson is in it!
Leo L

A fantastic movie!

Cast

            David Morse as Joe Roberts

            Viggo Mortensen as Frank Roberts

            Valeria Golino as Maria

            Patricia Arquette as Dorothy

            Charles Bronson as Father

            Sandy Dennis as Mother

            Dennis Hopper as Caesar

            John Blythe Barrymore
            
            Harry Crews as Mr. Baker

            Benicio Del Toro as Miguel

            Jim Deveny as 1st Deputy

            Trevor Endicott as Joe (12)

            Brandon Fleck as Frank (7)

            Phil Gould as Man at Del Mar

            Helen Halmes as Dorothy's Mother

            Larry Hoefling as Larry

            Jimmy Intveld as Kid on Highway

            Kathy Jensen as Lady at Carwash

            Eddie Katz as Guy on Commode

            V. Stacy Klein as Lucy

            Thomas Blair Levin as Clyde

            James J. Luxa as Randall's Partner

            Joe Martin as Dorothy's Father

            Adam Nelson as Cellmate

            Dr. Leland J. Olson as Doctor

            Annie Pearson as Hotel Manager

            Jordan Rhodes as Randall

            Enzo Rossi as Raffael

            Eileen Ryan as Mrs. Baker

            Elaine Schoonover as Bearded Lady

            Don Shanks as Young Indian Runner

            Kenny Stabler as Indian Runner

            Neal Stark as Circus Midget

            Chuck Ulmer as Frank's Boss

            Deede Wehle
            
            Allison Caine
            
See full cast