Racing with the Moon (1984)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's 1942. Henry 'Hopper' Nash (Sean Penn) and Nicky (Nicolas Cage) are small town best friends drafted into the Marines. With deployment weeks away, they work at the local bowling alley setting pins and chase girls. Hopper is infatuated with rich newcomer Caddie Winger (Elizabeth McGovern) but she's secretly the maid's daughter. Nicky gets Sally Kaiser pregnant and needs $150 for the abortion. Hopper and Nicky get beaten by Navy sailors after trying to hustle them playing pool. Hopper asks Caddie for the money.The first half is a slow coming-of-age romance. The second half takes some more intense turns. The problem is that Sally don't have much screen time before then. The movie doesn't invest that much in her plight. This is about Hopper and Caddie. Ultimately, it's a device to get at their own story. It's nice to see these great actors in their youth and there is a bitter sweet romance here.

This story takes place in a small California town in 1942 and concentrates on two teenage boys, Henry (Sean Penn) and Niky (Nicolas Cage), and their girlfriends and family in the weeks prior to their joining the war effort. Many lighthearted scenes are interwoven with some serious ones. For viewers of a certain age this movie will evoke much nostalgia. Whoever produced the look and feel of the era got it just about right and, no matter your age, that should be appreciated. I particularly liked the recreation of a bowling alley of the time before automatic pinsetters, when surly pin boys would confront bowlers who did not respect the rules of etiquette. A period locomotive plays a central role in several scenes-- it is a gateway between the town and the outside world and reminds us that the boys will be taken from their youthful concerns to life-changing experiences in faraway places.As are many close friendships between two men, one is the more serious (Henry) and the other is a little reckless and wild (Niky). I thought Sean Penn did well in giving Henry an authenticity that is rarely granted to teenage characters in movies. Henry is not a delinquent nor is he a straight arrow, he is a young man dealing with the normal issues of coming of age in a difficult time. I particularly liked Henry's relationship with his family that allowed his parents to be seen as sincere relatable adults rather clueless bumblers. Nicolas Cage sparkles as Niky and Elizabeth McGovern is the perfect 1940s beauty as Henry's love interest Caddie. The casting director should be congratulated.There is an abortion scene that is character-revealing and makes a strong case for the value of the Roe vs. Wade decision.Some scenes seemed too scripted for humorous or dramatic effect, like the pool hustling scene and the scene where Caddie, who has never played the piano, is able to quickly pick up playing to accompany a surprisingly competent Henry on a piece.Well filmed, often engaging, this is worth seeing.

Not a great film, but worth seeing for the budding romance between Penn and McGovern. They make a very credible couple. I expected more chemistry between Penn and Cage, they are both, after all, Fast Times alums! But the script doesn't give them a lot together. Mainly watchable for a pleasant afternoon watching Penn do a nice guy role for one of the few times in his career.

This is an early Cage and Penn movie- they both do remarkably well portraying boys of the 1940's- and the subplot- mixing up a girl who works for the rich people- thinking she is rich- adds to the story. There are also some cameos by Carvey and Glover A light film.