The Man in the Moon (1991)

Wonderful character development!

hyped garbage

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

"The Man In The Moon" is one of those films that I'd seen bits and parts of on TV all the time, but never quite seen all the way start-to-finish. As a big fan of Reese Whitherspoon, I finally decided to give it a rent and watch it properly. What I found is that despite the fact that I'm not nearly the target audience for this type of picture (I'm a 30-year old male), anyone who enjoys emotional films (and isn't that kind of the point of film?) will find something to relate to in this one.For a basic plot summary, "Man in the Moon" focuses on 14-year old Dani (Whiterspoon) entering her adolescence in 1950s farm country. Her parents, Matthew (Sam Waterston) & Abigail (Tess Harper), are as salt-of-the-earth as they come, while Dani also looks up to older sister Maureen (Emily Warfield). One summer, Dani discovers that an "older boy" (older teenaged) has moved in down the way, and Court (Jason London) becomes the object of her burgeoning sexuality and adolescence in general. Does Court really like her, or is he just stringing her along? Feelings (especially those of the "first" variety) are complicated, and this is what Dani must discover as life continues to roll on despite her desire to have everything work out perfectly.Like I said, it is easy to classify "Man In The Moon" as a "chick flick", and I can absolutely see why that is. The "gist" of the film is about a teenaged girl dealing with her feelings; the only thing separating it from hundreds of other more contemporary films just like it being the period setting.However, I am the type of person who likes to try and look past such labels and find good films no matter what their reputation may say. I'm glad I did in this case, as "Man In The Moon" is really a well-made film in many aspects. Though I've never personally experienced the angst of teenage girl adolescence, I did go through an adolescence of my own and have younger sisters that somewhat help me relate. I think the point here is that this isn't a film that "only girls/women can enjoy".Generally speaking, the cast of this film is solid, but it is truly Whitherspoon's performance that vaults into "cult classic" territory. In this her introductory film performance at the age of 14, Reese shows exactly why she would go on to have an acclaimed, Oscar-winning career. Even in a film that can, admittedly, get a bit cheesy and sappy at times, Reese is always the magnet that your attention will be drawn to. I'd be hard pressed to name another performance this good from someone this young (she is in practically every scene!).Thus, despite not really having the scope or production value to be an "all-time classic" piece of cinema, "Man In The Moon" will tug at your heartstrings for its portrayal of those delicate, confusing, and incredibly exciting teenage years. It will hit closest to home with females, I would imagine, but I'm proof that all ages can enjoy a film that is obviously made with such care and features such mesmerizing acting from the lead player.

Mulligan's ultimate film is just good : straight to the point and no emotional overdose. Modern dramas are overplayed and too indiscreet in terms of nudity and, you know what I mean… The choice of the time period for the film is quite pertinent : the Elvis era, the discovery of the change in your body and your thoughts. I don't know much about the rural area of the film, nor about the film analysis in social or gender terms and, frankly, I do not care. What's important is the universality of the feelings depicted. The emotional effect is a success : wounds of love are hard to bear, time is the healer. The metaphor of the "man in the moon", the title's lullaby sort of thing you've been told as a kid, always wear out when you grow up, this doesn't mean you can't overcome the wounds on your sentimental way. Along with Summer for 42, I very much approve of this film in the "classical" way of sentimental movies.

One of the Best Movies Made I love it watch it over and over again. "I've Read Most of your Reviews On Dani, Maureen and Court Triangle I will say some of it was wrong some felt rite and left two sisters Bruised . When I first watched this movie I always said at the end I would love to have saw them come back as women and well what you've all said here n see a what goes around comes around erupt. I loved this movie It would have been nice to have saw a part two to see them grown up and to come back n see the twin brothers look like court a nice reprise or just to see if Dani and Maureen worked it out. I was not ready for the movie to be done at the end I wanted more is why this movie gets ten stars for me it was heartbreaking, fun ,joyful, tender and Memorable..

I know this movie was made over 20 years ago but it is still a movie everyone can watch and enjoy This was Reese Witherspoon's movie debut and could arguably be her best performance to date, even though her superb performance in 'Walk The Line' was certainly deserving of the Oscar she won We must neither forget all the other movies she has made, notably the two 'Legally Blonde' movies She made this movie when she was 14/15 and her superb acting ability was plain to see from the outset SPOILER BEGINS Reese plays Dani Trant an adolescent teenage tomboy who falls in love with a boy a few years older than herself, Court Foster, played by Jason London. She got her first kiss from him.Unfortunately for Dani she has an older sister, Maureen, played by Emily Warfield and when Maureen and Court meet it is love at first sight Although this obviously caused a rift between the two sisters and was possibly going to tear them apart forever, events took a tragic turn when Court was killed in a tractor accident From this tragedy eventually Dani and Maureen managed to find a way to heal their differences SPOILER ENDS The script was extremely tastefully written and an ideal baptism on the silver screen for Reese The acting on everyones part was wonderful, but Rees Witherspoon I must say did steal the show The direction by Robert Mulligan was excellent and the setting of the movie was also very well thought out.I give this movie a 9 rating and would thoroughly recommend it to everyone.