Racing with the Moon (1984)

Lack of good storyline.

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

This film is a coming-of-age story focusing on two teens in their final weeks at their quaint home town of Pont Muir, California (really Ft. Bragg/Mendocino) before their 1943 military induction. Henry "Hopper" Nash (Sean Penn), son of a gravedigger, is bright, sensitive, and cultured. His best friend, Nicky (Nicholas Cage), although not unintelligent, is reckless and self-destructive. Although he does not really play pool, he likes to hustle sailors at that table-game. Both Hopper and Nicky like to hitch rides on passing trains. Hopper meets Caddy Winger (Elizabeth McGovern) when he purchases tickets from her at the local movie house. He thinks she is rich ("She's a Gatsby!"), but in reality she is the daughter of a maid who is employed by a rich family at a mansion "on the hill." They date and soon fall in love. Nicky also has a girlfriend, Sally Kaiser (Suzanne Adkinson), whom he does not always treat well. "Racing with the Moon" beautifully captures the setting of a west coast town in the winter of 1942-1943. Nice period sets include the roller skating rink, the soda fountain, and the bowling alley with pin-boys. The feature carefully develops the characters of teenagers and honestly tells their story of early love. The storyline may not always be pretty, as Sally becomes pregnant and Nicky's attitude is not the best. However there is not a false note in the movie. Some of the popular songs include "Tangerine," "Heart and Soul," and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Beyond the film lies a lingering question as mankind is currently engaged in the greatest, most destructive war in its history. Assuming that both boys taste combat and are placed in similar situations, and knowing about their individual characters, whom do you think has the better chance of returning home in 1945?

Oh boy oh boy! I'm up to 32 Nick Cage movies watched! Crossed the halfway point with this gem and Bringing Out the Dead.What do we have here? A coming of age drama in which Nick Cage plays an idiotic womanizer who uses his friends? And do we also have a moody, whiny Sean Penn to boot? What more could I ask for?? Although it seems to have killed his career as a director, Richard Benjamin at least had the decency to shoot it in 1.85:1, unlike Zandalee.The story involved Nicky (Nick Cage... hmm), his friend Henry (Sean Penn), and Henry's chubby chunkin' cheeked love interest, Caddie (Elizabeth McGovern). Nicky loves to run the gauntlet of loose women in town, while Henry is a one-girl man. All heck breaks loose when Nicky impregnates a girl and convinces her to abort it. Hilarity ensues as they are ushered off to war after doing a lot of yelling and moping.Favorite Nick Cage Line: "Wow, 200 bucks a shot. That's some business, huh?"Favorite Nick Cage Moment: When he's driving his hot rod away from the abortion, swigging from a booze bottle. Classy.Gotta be honest, I had to look up a script to even find a decent NC line in the entire movie. Unlike many of his movies, it wasn't so much embarrassing as it was boring. Surprisingly, there were some saucy scenes in this (for whatever reason) PG movie underscored by a sensual saxophone soundtrack.

I had not even heard of this movie until I caught it yesterday on one of the movie channels. A real delight. It's not heavy, there is no horrible lows or extreme highs. It's steady-paced and its significance will mean something different to each viewer. In fact, I thought it was an adaptation of a movie because it feels like a literary work, one in which you feel yourself analyzing the meaning of this or that. At its core though, it's essentially a coming of age story, not really a lot more than that.By far, the movie's best selling feature is the acting. Simply superb, from all parties, especially Penn and McGovern. Sean Penn is really likable in this role, sweet and endearing. You almost forget what you know of him later on,how political and intense he really is in his real life. But that's what superb actors do--they make you forget what you know about them personally and force you to accept whatever character they're offering on the screen. I also thought Elizabeth McGovern played her role seamlessly. She and Penn are great together. Nicholas Cage also shines, but not as brightly as the two main characters.This movie is pleasant and delightful, but not all that memorable. It won't leave a huge indelible impression on you. It will just make you feel good for a few hours, then you'll be on to the next thing, maybe even forgetting about the movie. So I can see how it wasn't a smash hit and how it has flown under so many people's radar. Star Wars it ain't. But a quality piece of cinema it most definitely is.One small quarrel I will offer before closing. I would like to know how the powers that be negotiated the movie down from an R-rating to PG. There is nudity and language that does not fit PG criteria. I smell a payoff of some sort. HmmmAnyway, see this film on a lazy afternoon, even add it to your DVD collection for those times when you just want to feel good. It is worthy.7/10

Coming-of-age piece set in small town America during WWII. Sean Penn has seldom been so youthfully exuberant and amiable playing a young working-class man about to go off to war, finding love for the first time with a sweet lass he presumes is wealthy ("a Gatsby girl"). Richard Benjamin's direction is sensitive and breezy, and Elizabeth McGovern is a good romantic match for Penn (though sometimes she talks down to him, like a big sister might). Nicolas Cage is also fine as Sean's goof-off buddy, yet the slim screenplay hasn't enough meat on its bones and the middle portion of the film goes around in circles. The period flavor has been captured with non-showy flair, and Penn's exceptional performance is winning, making the film a nearly-satisfying nostalgic drama. *** from ****