
The Indian Runner
1991, Drama, 2h 6m
19 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsYou might also like
See More




Where to watch
The Indian Runner Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Joe Roberts
Frank Roberts
Maria
Dorothy
Mr. Roberts
Mrs. Roberts
Critic Reviews for The Indian Runner
Audience Reviews for The Indian Runner
-
Mar 24, 2011Not sure but I guess that I may have been able to appreciate it more had I understood it more.
-
Feb 15, 2010I 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!
-
Jan 17, 2008Great 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!Christopher B Super Reviewer
-
Sep 19, 2007<DIV ALIGN=center><B>THE INDIAN RUNNER (1991) directed by Sean Penn starring David Morse, Viggo Mortensen, Valeria Golino</B></DIV><P><DIV ALIGN=justify><I>The Indian Runner</I> is Sean Penn's directorial debut. Penn has always been an actor with depth taking his acting job very seriously and he does the same as a director telling us this deep and dark story.<P><I>The Indian Runner</I> is about two brothers who are the absolute opposite of each other, one is the small town sherif and the other one is a Viet-Nam veteran with a bit too much violence inside of him. The older brother tries to bring back - and keep - his brother on the right path but its not easy cause the younger is pretty much of control.<P>David Morse is fairly good as the sherif older brother, he is somehow touching and makes his character believale while Viggo Mortensen kinda overact portraying the younger one but that character is never likable - and thats the point - with his useless explosion of anger and violence. Valeria Golino and Patria Arquette play their respective wives and even with smaller screen time they mannage to portray a strong woman - Golino - and the mentally challenged girlfriend - Arquette - in the right tone. Dennis Hopper and Charles Bronson compelte the cast with small parts, almost cameo appearances but still they get some effective scenes.<P>With his film Sean Penn make it a point to show how hard life is - thats why the film moves slowly - but he also tells you that its your own decision to live it this hard cause you can try to see the brither side and forget about the sad things life brings to you. That is in a way what oppose the two brothers, one tries hard to survive and is happy when he sees his family while the other is simply angry and sees bad things everywhere.<P>This film looks very realistic, from begenning to end, it has a 70's feel in the direction - but its also set right after the Viet-Nam war - with the dirty photography.<P>Good film, quite emotional but not for everyone. Very raw.</DIV>
Movie & TV guides
View AllAbout Tomatometer
Verified