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Racing With the Moon (1984)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 2,854

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Movie Info

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

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Richard Benjamin

Written By: Steve Kloves

In Theaters: Mar 23, 1984 Wide

On DVD: Nov 30, 2004

Paramount Home Video

Racing With the Moon Trailer & Photos

Cast

Sean Penn
Henry "Hopper" Nash
Elizabeth McGovern
Caddie Winger
Nicolas Cage
Nicky
John Karlen
Mr. Nash
Rutanya Alda
Mrs. Nash
Suzanne Adkinson
Sally Kaiser
Kate Williamson
Mrs. Winger
Shawn Schepps
Gretchen
Julie Philips
Alice Donnelly
Michael Talbott
Bill
Patricia Allison
Mrs. Spangler
Eve Brent Ashe
Mrs. Kaiser
John Brandon
Mr. Kaiser
Dana Carvey
Baby Face
Gerry Gibson
High School Principal
Crispin Glover
Gatsby Boy
Ted Grossman
Skating Soldier
Page Hannah
High School Girl
Al Hopson
Elmer
Barbara Howard
Gatsby Girl
Arnold Johnson
Tattoo Artist
Carol Kane
Annie
Michael Madsen
Frank
Bob Maroff
Al
Walter Matthews
Sailor
Charles Miller
Arnie
Dominick Nardini
Soldier with Annie
Victor Rendina
Pool Hall Barman
Max Showalter
Mr. Arthur
Steve Lambert
Scott McGinnis
Michael
Victor Paul
Pool Hall Barman
Chuck Picerni Jr.
Bill's Shipmate
Phil Adams
Lou Butera
Pool Player
Jonathan Charles Fox
Arnold Billings
Shane Kerwin
R.D.
Arlin Miller
Minister
Jan Rabson
Sailor
Sue Allen
Singer
Fielding Greaves
Mr. Donnelly
Phillip Romano
Bill's Shipmate

Critic Reviews for Racing With the Moon

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (4) | DVD (4)

It's easy to end a movie with 'I love you,' but it's hard to get there honestly.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Everyone tries hard, but the movie is essentially superficial and has difficulty sustaining audience interest.

September 16, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A sentimental view of small-town life in WWII, in which the railroads and train station are just as important as the human characters.

October 31, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Very little seems to happen in this social vacuum, and none of it is memorable.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Sean Penn manages to strike that perfect balance in depicting a teenager who wants to be bad but is really good at his core

November 30, 2004 Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk

| Comment

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

A small movie about first love with abundant emotional riches.

July 23, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

It lacks [My Favourite Year's] winning charm.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Racing With the Moon

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I need to watch this movie again, I barely remember it.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

A personal favorite. Now, this is a movie I don't mind seeing every now and then.

January 1, 2008

Leo L

Super Reviewer

Racing With the Moon Quotes

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Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try.
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