Racing with the Moon
Racing with the Moon

Movie spotlight

Racing with the Moon

1984
Movie
108 min
English

In a small coastal California town, Henry and Nicky are pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be wealthy. Mischievous and irresponsible, Nicky gets into trouble which forces the other two to become involved, testing their relationship, as well as the friendship between the boys.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Elliot SilversteinGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Set in 1947, the film follows Henry Nash, a young, ambitious drifter working as a Hollywood projectionist. He falls for the sophisticated Nicola, a woman he mistakenly believes is from an elite background. Their budding romance is complicated by Henry's own insecurities and the stark realities of their social differences, leading to a poignant exploration of love, class, and disillusionment during the post-war era.

Critical Reception

Racing with the Moon received a mixed reception from critics. While some praised its performances, particularly Sean Penn's, and its period detail, others found the story to be somewhat predictable and lacking emotional depth. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the romantic drama and others finding it underwhelming.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its lead performances and nostalgic portrayal of post-war Hollywood.

  • Criticized for a narrative that felt familiar and occasionally lacked compelling development.

  • Some reviewers found the romantic storyline to be sweet but ultimately underdeveloped.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film. When available, they often highlight the charm of the lead actors and the period setting, but some express disappointment with the plot's lack of originality or emotional impact.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a vehicle for Dustin Hoffman, who was set to play the lead role before Sean Penn was cast.

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