Racing With the Moon

1984

Racing With the Moon (1984)

TOMATOMETER

60%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

60%

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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 McGovern for the abortion money. That's when Penn discovers that the girl barely has a penny to her name. Convinced that Penn cared for her only when he thought she was rich, McGovern walks out on him, but later teams up with Penn to help the unfortunate Adkinson. The plot is pure James Dean, a fact not lost on fans who regarded Sean Penn as the second coming of Dean. A very slight piece, Racing With the Moon is buoyed by the engaging performances of the stars, and by director Richard Benjamin's meticulous attention to period detail-especially in those peerless bowling-alley and skating-rink sequences.
  • Rating:
    PG (adult situations/language, nudity)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Richard Benjamin
  • Written By:
    Steve Kloves
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Home Video

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Cast

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

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (4)

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

Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
Time Out
Top Critic

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

Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
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 | Rating: 4/5
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.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

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

Sep 16, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
TV 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.

Oct 31, 2006 | Rating: B | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com
View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for Racing With the Moon

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

Aj V
Aj V

Super Reviewer

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

Leo L
Leo L

Super Reviewer

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