A Walk on the Moon (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) is a nice guy but very square, and his wife (Lane), 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) hormones go racing, so does the mom’s as she begins an affair with the salesman (Mortensen) 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 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: A-
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