Henry (Sean Penn) and Nicky (Nicholas Cage) are best friends who attend high school together. It's 1942 and all of life seems like a prelude to their induction into the Marines. They share all the adventures of young men on the threshold of adulthood. But Nicky is irresponsible, never seeming to consider the consequences of his actions.
Henry meets Caddie (Elizabeth McGovern), a classmate who lives in a nice house on a hill. In this coming of age story, Henry finds that he has adult feelings for Caddie. She helps teach him about life's consequences.
I know some viewers are not fans of Sean Penn, Nicholas Cage or Elizabeth McGovern, so any one of them in a cast might discourage someone from viewing this film. Personally, I am a fan of Elizabeth McGovern. And I have seen excellent performances from the two men, even if I do not embrace the body of their work. In "Racing with the Moon", each of them is well suited for his part. I think most who appreciate period pieces like "Stand by Me" or "The Summer of 42" will enjoy this film.
With direction by Richard Benjamin, RWTM really captures the feeling of the times, when America was so enveloped by patriotism and somewhat naïve about its place in the world. In just three more years, the worldview would change with the advent of nuclear weaponry. The music in the film really helps create the tone of the times. I enjoyed this film, particularly because of the relationship between the two young lovers.
Henry meets Caddie (Elizabeth McGovern), a classmate who lives in a nice house on a hill. In this coming of age story, Henry finds that he has adult feelings for Caddie. She helps teach him about life's consequences.
I know some viewers are not fans of Sean Penn, Nicholas Cage or Elizabeth McGovern, so any one of them in a cast might discourage someone from viewing this film. Personally, I am a fan of Elizabeth McGovern. And I have seen excellent performances from the two men, even if I do not embrace the body of their work. In "Racing with the Moon", each of them is well suited for his part. I think most who appreciate period pieces like "Stand by Me" or "The Summer of 42" will enjoy this film.
With direction by Richard Benjamin, RWTM really captures the feeling of the times, when America was so enveloped by patriotism and somewhat naïve about its place in the world. In just three more years, the worldview would change with the advent of nuclear weaponry. The music in the film really helps create the tone of the times. I enjoyed this film, particularly because of the relationship between the two young lovers.