Review of The Man in the Moon (1991) by Zach S — 01 Oct 2007
A truly remarkable motion picture, able to illustrate the simultaneous joy and pain of first love and the stark realization that childhood is gone forever. Set during a hot Louisiana summer in the 1950s, two sisters sleep on the covered porch and talk all night.
The older sister, Maureen, is beautiful and talented, awaiting college but dating a dull and crude local boy. The younger sister, Dani, who is the protagonist of the story, is madly in love with Elvis.
When a family friend returns, equipped with a son both sisters pine over, deeply hurt feelings and surprising tragedy ensue. Mesmorizing, from start to finish; the performances are rich and compelling, and the story is full of nuance and subtlety, while presenting stunningly real characters in achingly real situations.
The final twenty minutes are absolutely stunning -- Mulligan slows the pace of the film to a solemn, melancholy tempo which beautifully illustrates loss and transgression at the end of innocence. Witherspoon is mesmorizing in her debut, and more than merely a "teen flick," the film is able to convey a message of love and forgiveness.
A masterpiece.
This review of The Man in the Moon (1991) was written by Zach S on 01 Oct 2007.
The Man in the Moon has generally received very positive reviews.
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