The Indian Runner Reviews

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

I think it would be quite an interesting exercise to see what Sean Penn could have made of his career if he exclusively directed and didn't appear in front of the camera. This film is evidence that it would have been quite the considerable body of work!

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!

A fantastic movie!

Sean Penn?s stylish direction is very effective in making this film work. Well photographed and visually appealing. Sometimes the slower pace works, but at times it drags the movie along. Very well acted, especially by Viggo Motensen, excellent support from Charles Bronson. The characters are interesting and get you involved in the film. Good score.

What a tedious movie this is. Borders on boring. I only watched it because I knew it was based on the Springsteen song "Highway Patrolman". Great song. You'd think it would translate well to film. Not in this case. Sean Penn can be forgiven, as this is his first attempt to write and direct. Nevertheless, IMO, he fails on both counts. The whole "indian runner" theme was under-developed. A couple of scenes were outright dumb. Acting was sub paar on behalf of practically everyone involved. The only thing "The Indian Runner" has going for it is the bare bones of a story, thanks to Bruce Springsteen. Maybe some day it will be developed in a more professional and entertaining manner.

See it because Sean Penn did a hell of a good job on direction.
See this before Viggo Mortensen became a mythological creature. (See him also in Prince of Darkness...tasty!)
See this because the restrained character portrayal by David Morse is brilliant.

Depressing, ponderous, in places even pretentious. But full-frontal Viggo nudity makes it ALL better.

Not the greatest movie, but certainly worth watching for the incredible performances of Viggo Mortensen and David Morse.

Has some powerful moments and fine acting, if a bit misguided.

One of my favorite movies ever. A must see.

it has potential, great script but sadly it's jumpy and awkward most of the times

One of my favorite movies of all time. Driven by masterful performances by both Viggo Mortensen and David Morse, this movie speaks from the gut. A must see.

David Morse and Viggo Mortensen know in this movie, was confident filmmaker Sean Penn can be trusted.

Where can I buy this DVD. Awesome movie!!! Anyone??

Excellent performances. Such honesty and sincerity from the actors makes the rough rambly nature of the plot and direction into a positive.

Really enjoyed this. Wasn't too sure about Penn's abilities but he didn't disgrace himself. I wonder how many times this scenario was 'acted out' for real!

This isn't really a movie to me. Kind of like there are certain songs that are more. But I don't think that not too many people will treasure it. Not that I know from Indians.

Valeria Golino "vegetable garden in the back where you rent a plot, grow your own, grow your own vegetables"

Randall "Dogonit Rafael, what'd ya do that for"

Mr. Baker "Henry said to Captain, whoah man ain't nothing but a man"

If you don't like the movie, at least stick around til you see first retarded person get handled.

Touching tale, but didn't live up to its full potential.

PLOT:Based on the Springsteen song, "Highway Patrolman", Sean Penn directs this feature about a cop, Joe (David Morse), who tries to reconnect with his brother, Frank (Viggo Mortenson) but his growing range keeps him from reconnecting and it becomes even worse as his wife (Patricia Arquette) is pregnant with his kid. It is a plot filled with potential, but it just comes out a little unsteady with lacking...SEE OTHER CONTENT

ACTING:Some very good performances in here. Mortenson and Morse play their parts very well. Arquette also does a decent job, but is kind of let down as she is the comoc relief of the fil at times.

SCORE:Great soundtrack and well done score.

EFFECTS:This is the movie's high point whether you choose to agree or not, for the birthing scene with Arquette, is actually a real-life birth of a baby. I it's her or not I don't know, but that's a real scene. If it's not, then they did a damn good job of simulating.

OTHER CONTENT:Now to finish my statement in plot....emotional potential. It had so much emotion bottled up to leaking points, but that's all that got out was the leaks. It was a good film, but it could've packed a better emotional punch.

OVERALL,a good drama with a kind of unsteady plot, very good acting, great soundtrack/score, real effects, and emotional lack.

He turned his back on himself

Joe and Frank Roberts are brothers that went separate directions in life. Joe is a straight and narrow law officer with a beautiful family, white house with a picket fence, and a little farm out back. Frank is a wild child that loves nature, booze, and wild women. Joe eventually talks Frank into returning home after the death of his mother to settle down. When Frank gets married, his wife becomes pregnant, and it looks like he is about to settle down, something snaps and Franks life is about to flip upside down.

"He's a likable son of a bitch."

Sean Penn, director of The Crossing Guard, The Pledge, and Into the Wild, delivers Indian Runner. The storyline for this picture is marvelous and ran parallel to my family situation. I found the characters fascinating and well presented. The cast delivered compelling performances and includes Viggo Mortensen, David Morse, Valerie Golino, Charles Bronson, Patricia Arquette, and Dennis Hopper.

"This is where you were a little boy."

This film grabbed my attention based on its marvelous cast. I swear this film is about my brother and I. There is generally an eccentric character in most families and this picture depicts that person perfectly. I loved the interactions between brothers and Viggo was awesome in this role. This is definitely worth your time and worth adding to your DVD collection.

"That woman has a beard."

Grade: A