Racing with the Moon

1984
PG
1h 48m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

5.3K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:04

1 Video

32 Photos

Comedy Drama Romance

In 1942 California, two young men await induction into the U.S. Marines and say goodbye to their girlfriends.In 1942 California, two young men await induction into the U.S. Marines and say goodbye to their girlfriends.In 1942 California, two young men await induction into the U.S. Marines and say goodbye to their girlfriends.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

5.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Trivia
The shots in which Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage standing on the railroad tracks with the train coming toward them were done with a large mirror positioned on the track, the camera shooting into it rather than the oncoming locomotive, to give the illusion that the train is coming toward them when the train is actually on a set of tracks nearby.

Goofs
While sitting at a table talking with Henry, we see Nicky (Nicolas Cage) light a cigarette by striking a match on the back of a matchbook, however in 1942 matchbooks were front-strike until a new regulation in 1973 deemed front-strike too dangerous.

Quotes
Henry 'Hopper' Nash/Lou: Tyrone Power never said fuck 'em.

Connections
Featured in The Making of 'Racing with the Moon' (2004)

Soundtracks
Beyond The Blue Horizon
by Richard A. Whiting, W. Franke Harling and Leo Robin

User reviews32

Review

Featured review

A sensitive story, of life's change, of stolen youth.

I've always viewed Richard Benjamin as a sensitive, honest filmmaker. Sure, he's made some less-than-great films, but his directorial debut, `My Favorite Year' may be about the funniest film ever made.

Racing with the Moon--the boy, his friend, and the girl--a small town in the Midwest in 1942 and a few weeks before the young men are to be inducted in the service. Their lives will be changed unequivocally, and they will no longer be boys. This is all the time they have left to enjoy the freedom, the carefree wonderment that is youth.

Stevn Kloves first produced script (later The Fabulous Baker Boys) is right on target with smart roles for three young stars. Sean Penn had Taps, and Fast Times behind him, and was his career was flourishing, Nick Cage had done Valley Girl, and Birdy, but would languish for ten more years, before achieving stardom, and Elizabeth McGovern, who's wonderful as Caddie Winger, is still waiting her just recognition.

Benjamin was born and raised in New York City, but his age is appropriate to our main characters. I'm sure he smiled, over and over as he recalled his own youth. His heart is in Racing with the Moon, and its worth your time, to go back for a moment, and enjoy those times.