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.
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.