The Indian Runner (1991)
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74% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(5,472 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… 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
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cast
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David Morse
as Joe Roberts
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Viggo Mortensen
as Frank Roberts
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Valeria Golino
as Maria
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Patricia Arquette
as Dorothy
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Charles Bronson
as Father
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Sandy Dennis
as Mother
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Dennis Hopper
as Caesar
- John Blythe Barrymore
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Harry Crews
as Mr. Baker
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Benicio Del Toro
as Miguel
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Jim Deveny
as 1st Deputy
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Trevor Endicott
as Joe (12)
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Brandon Fleck
as Frank (7)
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Phil Gould
as Man at Del Mar
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Helen Halmes
as Dorothy's Mother
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Larry Hoefling
as Larry
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Jimmy Intveld
as Kid on Highway
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Kathy Jensen
as Lady at Carwash
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Eddie Katz
as Guy on Commode
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V. Stacy Klein
as Lucy
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Thomas Blair Levin
as Clyde
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James J. Luxa
as Randall's Partner
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Joe Martin
as Dorothy's Father
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Adam Nelson
as Cellmate
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Dr. Leland J. Olson
as Doctor
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Annie Pearson
as Hotel Manager
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Jordan Rhodes
as Randall
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Enzo Rossi
as Raffael
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Eileen Ryan
as Mrs. Baker
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Elaine Schoonover
as Bearded Lady
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Don Shanks
as Young Indian Runner
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Kenny Stabler
as Indian Runner
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Neal Stark
as Circus Midget
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Chuck Ulmer
as Frank's Boss
- Deede Wehle
- Allison Caine
