The Man in the Moon
by Robert Mulligan
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Actor: Gail Strickland, Jason London, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Waterston, Tess HarperDirector: Robert Mulligan
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-01-09
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM
DVD Reviews of The Man in the Moon
DVD Review: Wonderful Witherspoon, Waterston, Warfield...et al.
Summary: 4 Stars
This much admired 1991 sleeper is noteworthy for several reasons. It introduced the remarkable young actress Reese Witherspoon to the viewing public--or at least that portion of the viewing public that bothered to see it. It also made a for a successful (de facto) "coming of age" trilogy for director Robert Mulligan, among whose previous successes were TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and THE SUMMER OF '42. It also had beautiful, evocative cinematography by Freddie Francis.
And it gets its 1950s feel just about right (although I did find myself asking, "Did 14 year olds really say 'WHATEVER' in 1957?")
The story is simple and sweet. Young girl meets slightly older boy, who in turn falls for her older sister. Sibling rivalry for the affections of a third party is a tale older than Childe Ballads, but the intelligent script and sensitive direction makes MAN IN THE MOON something special. For the first hour or so, the film hits nary a false note.
And then it did--at least for me. I don't like to second guess any narrative development, but I found the film's ending a bit of a let-down. (SPOILER WARNING!) The fact that the girls' heated rivalry for their neighbor's affection is interrupted by tragedy, a tragedy that ultimately leads to their reconciliation, seems almost too easy dramatically. Or maybe it's just too rushed. Fourteen year old Dani's flirtation with the older neighbor Court proceeds almost languidly, but his torrid romance with older sister Maureen takes up maybe 15 minutes of screen time. Court's demise is premature in more ways than one.
I would have preferred to see the older teens' relationship detailed more. Maureen's loss might have ultimately have seemed more profound then. One can argue of course that at 17, a brief relationship can have all the force and drama of longstanding affair. Agreed, but how long did the two star crossed lovers actually have. A day and a half? The dramatic possibilities of their love and the sisters' rivalry are ultimately curbed.
It's an arguable point, and knowing me, should I re-view this film in a month or so, I'll likely find that it flows perfectly and wonder what the heck I was complaining about. Still I hope other admirers of this movie will understand when I say that I probably just a bit frustrated because I wanted the movie to be a little longer. I think they might agree that it would be nice to get to know these wonderful characters a little better.
While Reese Witherspoon deserves the attention her debut role brought her, it should probably be mentioned that ALL the performances are spot on. You expect as much from veterans Tess Harper and Sam Waterston, but the other young actors are also remarkable. Jason London projects both the ease and the awkwardness of a seventeen year old just growing into his own body. Emily Warfield, who unfortunately seems to have no screen credits since 1995, is equally good as the remarkably self-aware and poised Maureen.
And if they ever wanted to make a sequel, I'd recommend following up with the story of Court's mom played beautifully by Gail Strickland. She's one character I wanted to know more about. Losing both her husband and her son in separate farm accidents within a short span of time would, of course, be devastating. But Strickland projects such strength and steely reserve that one can only imagine that her continuing story would be fascinating.
Description of The Man in the Moon
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