The Man in the Moon poster & wallpaper

Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland

A jewel of a sleeper, The Man in the Moon comes off as a nearly perfect short story of two sisters' first competition in the field of love. In a 1950's small Louisiana farm town, 14-year-old Da...( read more  read more... )ni falls for Court, a 17-year-old engaging neighbor boy. The two become great friends, but Court is more interested in Dani's 17-year-old sister, Maureen, who is blossoming. Dani will look for any justification why she should be with Court, but as human law dictates, there is no cure for a 14-year-old with a crush.

The film is another winning portrayal of small-town adolescence from Robert Mulligan (To Kill A Mockingbird). His eye for casting is impeccable, with Sam Waterston and Tess Harper as the earnest parents and newcomer Jason London as the dreamy Court. The real find, though, is Reese Witherspoon as Dani. Her timeless work here is magical. The PG-13 rating is a bit heavy-handed--although the film does not shy away from its look at budding sensuality, or a horrific and emotional accident. Mature 10-year-olds may find one of their favorite films here. --Doug Thomas

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84% liked it

29,201 ratings

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92% liked it

13 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Robert Mulligan

Release Date: August 30, 1991

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DVD Release Date: January 9, 2001

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Stats: 1,500 reviews

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Sam Waterston as Matthew Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant with Emily Warfield as Maureen Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant her first kiss with Jason London as Court Foster in The Man in the Moon [1991] Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Jason as Court Foster Jason London as Court Foster, Tess Harper as Abigail Trant, Sam Waterston as Matthew Trant, Emily Warfield as Maureen Trant and Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant in The Man in the Moon (1991) Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant with Jason London as Court Foster and Emily Warfield as Maureen Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Tess Harper as Abigail Trant with Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Emily Warfield as Maureen Trant with Jason London as Court Foster in The Man in the Moon [1991] Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant with Jason London as Court Foster in The Man in the Moon [1991] Still from movie "The Man in the Moon" Emily Warfield as Maureen Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] Sam Waterston as Matthew Trant with Reese Witherspoon as Danielle 'Dani' Trant in The Man in the Moon [1991] The Man in the Moon [1991] Scenes from The Man in the Moon [1991] The Man in the Moon [1991] The Man in the Moon
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Flixster Reviews (1,500)

  • StaisilD
    August 1, 2007
    StaisilD
    "The Man in the Moon" is a beautifully realistic look at life through the eyes of an adolescent. This film is incredible, all the acting first rate, especially Sam Waterston and an astonishing performance by Reese Witherspoon in her film debut. You will feel every emotion as this...( read more) life changing summer in 1957 on the Trant family farm comes to a conclusion. This film is truely the essence of filmaking at its finest.
  • TheBookQueen
    July 30, 2007
    TheBookQueen
    Good movie about young love and the close bond/love of sisters.
  • jmanard52
    March 27, 2007
    jmanard52
    Reese Witherspoons first movie I beleive. Sam Waterson shines as the father, Jason London also does well. This is a tear jerker film of the upteenth degree but as others have said, this is a story about sisters and true love. Its a beautiful tale and well told. If you have never ...( read more)seen this your missing out.
  • dreamfaeries
    November 7, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    It was good.
  • zeravenyoej
    August 1, 2007
    zeravenyoej
    Watching this movie was an interesting experience. It's so small, gentle, and awfully sweet, but at the same time I knew it wasn't really saying anything new or surprising. While conscious of this, I couldn't help but enjoy myself. The film unfurls like a dream and it kept my ...( read more)attention for almost its entire length. It's particularly strong in terms of mood. It reminded me of a less artsy fartsy version of The Virgin Suicide. I have a feeling I'm not going to forget how watching this film FELT, as opposed to the actual plot. Reese Witherspoon gives a compltely natural performance-to the point where I forgot I was watching an actress doing a job. Contrast this performance with Election, and what you got is an actress with range.
  • ruba1029
    October 28, 2009
    ruba1029
    a story about a family, focusing on the two sisters and an old friend who comes back as a grown guy and loved by both of the sisters.

    The Man in the Moon is the first film for Reese Whiterspoon and she actually did a great job for a 14 year old (she hasn't changed much, she lo...( read more)oks just the same now); this movie is nice to watch in the afternoon but it really had a depressing ending - just when you get to love someone and think your life is about to start then lose it so soon - that's so sad, there were a few tears (but it wasn't strong enough to make me cry)
  • GotSunshine
    October 25, 2009
    GotSunshine
    this movie was perfect. Reese Witherspoon is such a good actress and she gives an amazing performance.
  • ristrawn
    August 22, 2009
    ristrawn
    nicey nice about teanage 1st relationships... Reese Witherspoon is fantastic & very young...
  • taoty
    July 24, 2009
    taoty
    a gud movie and I really like this film very much. I watch it many times....
  • genabobena
    July 20, 2009
    genabobena
    I loved this movie. It's definitely a chick flick, but it was one of my all time favourites when I was young. Cried my eyes out.

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Comments

  • Alyyeta
    July 25, 2008
    Alyyeta
    That guy!!! Why did he kiss dany!!! and then treats her like crap and goes after the sister!!!
  • carol14031997
    May 30, 2008
    carol14031997
    wonderfull choice to learn about family, hate, love and relationship... I've made a the man in the moon's quiz. Check on my profile
  • emilyyyyanne
    August 8, 2007
    emilyyyyanne
    omg !!!! i <33333 this movie....i cried when i watched it
  • horselover941
    January 2, 2007
    horselover941
    this is my fave movie ever
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