Review of The Man in the Moon (1991) by David K — 08 Aug 2009

A beautifully shot film, "The Man in the Moon" really lacks in its emotional impact. Taking place in the summer of a young 14-year-old Southern girl, the story involves many "life lessons" that ultimately feel too "convenient" for the film's sake.

I don't want to tear the film apart. As bad as the film started out, the third act more than makes up for it. The film is told at a slow and gradual pace that I found almost surprisingly quaint. In fact, I found the film to hold a certain charm that embodied the innocence and wonder of childhood. Unfortunately the film gets tainted by an unneeded love triangle between two sisters and the "new boy" in town. Still, the film wasn't a total loss.

Reese Witherspoon does more with her role than the script even offers and in doing so, saves the entire film. Much of her angst, which occupies most of the run-time, is convincing and relatable. "The Man in the Moon" runs into trouble when trying to convey the other characters' troubles and tribulations. It made me feel lost. Just, exactly, who's story is this? Is it the father's? Is it one of the daughters? Is it the mother's? Is it the neighbors' who returned? Is it all of them? Why should I have to choose?

Like I said, the film is beautifully shot and captures the feeling of growing up at that time in that place very well. Unfortunately, it's the events that I didn't care about.