A Walk on the Moon (1999) / Romance-Drama

MPAA Rated: R for sexuality, language and some drug use
Running Time: 107 min.

Cast: Diane Lane, Liev Schreiber, Anna Paquin, Viggo Mortensen, Tovah Feldshuh
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Screenplay: Pamela Gray
Review published October 2, 1999

In the summer of 1969, when the first men landed on the moon and Woodstock was the big event, a family of four (well, five if you include the groom's mother) travel out to their summer cabin along with many other Jewish families. The father (Schreiber, Twilight) is a nice guy but very square, and his wife (Lane, Judge Dredd), who feels like she never had a chance to live life the way she wanted after her teen pregnancy, is itching for a change. Just when their daughter's (Paquin, The Piano) hormone go racing, so does the mom's as she begins an affair with the salesman (Mortensen, Psycho) who visits their little community every once in a while.

Admittedly, A Walk on the Moon has a very predictable first half, and from the first scene onward, you can guess what happens and be right most of the time. Thankfully, Goldwyn's (Someone Like You) picture pays off in a large fashion in the second half, with a truthful, unabashed look at the consequences of adultery and the turmoil it puts a family through. Every member of the cast contributes what may possibly be their finest performances in each respective career, and actor-turned-director Tony Goldwyn impresses with a sumptuously compelling period piece. With the exception of a cornball ending and just a bit too much hippie folk music (sorry! personal taste here!), there wasn't anything I didn't enjoy during this deep and honest drama. Very much recommended.  

Qwipster's rating:

©1999 Vince Leo