Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Blistering performances.

I remember seeing this movie long ago when it was first released to video. Yes, it's that old. At the time I remember thinking it was a good movie but it never really stuck with me for some reason. I always recalled the name and that of the young actor in the lead role but it wasn't until revisiting it just now that I was dumbstruck by the talents of this young woman. She was just 14 at the time and this was her first film. Her name is Reese Witherspoon.The movie tells the story of two sisters in 1957 farm country. Growing up together they are the best of friends with Maureen Trant (Emily Warfield) the older of the two and about to go off to college at Duke. Dani Trant (Witherspoon) is only 14 and coming out of her tomboy phase, in love with Elvis and about to become a young woman.The summer the story takes place in changes everything about the two girls. In the case of Maureen she's unsure of what her future holds, not quite certain if she should get her education or simply marry a young man and become a housewife like her mother. She has a steady beau but his constant need for something more physical than she wants to offer is a block for the two of them.Dani on the other hand still loves to jump in the nearby watering hole and spend her summer having fun when she can get away with it. Her father Matthew (Sam Waterston) wants her to start taking responsibility but her mother Abigail (Tess Harper) tells him that he must have missed that age when she was too young to run off and now is suddenly too old to have fun.The catalyst for change comes in the form of new neighbors. Mother Marie (Gail Strickland) is an old friend of the Trants. A single mother raising three boys two are at that age of being unmanageable. Her eldest Court (Jason London) at 16 is the man of the family and on his shoulders lies the farm that they've just returned to.Dani meets Court by accident before being formally introduced while swimming. The two are combative but beneath it all you can tell that she's attracted to him, something she's not quite used to and doesn't know how to deal with. An attraction between the two develops but Court knows full well he is too old for Dani. But he might be just the right age for Maureen.In the middle of this possible romantic triangle are a few other issues to deal with. First off is Abigail's pregnancy which comes into question after she trips outside in a storm trying to find Dani who ran off for a midnight swim. It's an event that nearly causes a few rifts in the family. Then there is Court trying to take on the responsibilities of a man while still in high school.Before the end of the film all issues are resolved. Those resolutions are not easy ones and much pain is involved. What is left to discover before the credits role is just who will come out unscathed? The movie is a marvel to watch on so many levels. Director Robert Mulligan draws some amazing performances from all involved. His experiences making movies like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and SUMMER OF '42 show how capable he is and this film just proves that even more. Freddie Francis is the director of photography and he brings to life the slow buzz of bugs in the trees and the slow soft hear of summer to life with each image.All of the actors involved do a fantastic job. But most impressive is that done by Witherspoon. This is not to slight the other actors involved but the fact that this was her first film, that she went to a casting call hoping to get a minor supporting role and came away with the lead makes her performance all that more amazing. There are moments watching the film when subtle nuances in the look on her face would make you think she'd been doing this for ages. Why she was overlooked for an Oscar nomination for this performance is beyond me.Released in 1991 this movie has never found itself in heavy rotation on movie channels or talked about much. That's a shame. I found it to be one of the most touching and enjoyable films I've watched in some time. Hopefully word of mouth will help others to find this film. It deserves more attention than it's received. Witherspoon has grown to show what a formidable presence she is and this is the movie that started it all.

Director Robert Mulligan's final film, "The Man in the Moon" stars Reese Witherspoon as Dani Trant, a fourteen year old girl living in 1950s Louisiana. Stuck in a familiar coming-of-age plot, Dani spends one summer learning about love, life and loss. Fittingly for Mulligan's swansong, the film opens and closes with Dani and her sister gazing up at the night sky, pondering issues of fate, faith and mortality. "Maybe life's not supposed to make sense," they decide.Bouyed by a delightful Reese Witherspoon, "The Man in the Moon" boasts a number of fine moments. Unfortunately the film relies heavily on several ridiculously over-the-top sequences (a kid is mauled by a tractor, a woman suffers a miscarriage after falling on her stomach etc), Mulligan resorting to shock-tactics which clash awkwardly with what is otherwise a pleasantly low-key film. Co-starring Emily Warfield and Jason London.7.5/10 – See "The Wackness" and "Spirit of the Beehive".

The film debut of 14-year-old Reese Witherspoon. Certainly the best young actress of that time. She would go on to win an Oscar some 15 years later with Walk the Line.I can't get over how young Sam Waterson (Law & Order) looks. He and Tess Harper are the parents of teenage girls. He is strict, but loving. They really seem to be real parents of teens. He comes through at the right time when things look hopeless.Dani (Witherspoon) has a crush on Court (Jason London). Coming of age comes early in Louisiana. Unfortunately, Court hasn't met her older sister Maureen (Emily Warfield).Things never leave the realm of the believable, and this was a beautiful story accompanied by a great music by Elvis and The Platters.

I saw this on netflix the other night and i kind of was glad I read about the movie before i watched it so I had an idea what direction the film went in. Its a coming of age film about growing up and love. This movie has little Reese Witherspoon in her first movie role - who does an amazing job as Danni , she was great everything about her ! She fit the part and fit in with the cast wonderfully . So did Jason London as Court it was great seeing them two bond and have feelings for one another. The relationship changes goes up and down throughout the whole film ( this was shown swell ! ) Im not going to spoil what happens but I will say that for me , The movie was sad not were i cried during the movie but just the next day my stomach and head felt upset by it. I would also say read the plot before you see this movie because it will help you deal with what happens. The film made me smile / laugh / feel upset and intrigued me. Everyone was a teenager at some point who had a first crush that felt like it never ended - Witherspoon shined I mean before this movie i kinda just saw her as a pretty face however she had skills and deserves credit !! I have to watch more of her films to see if she continues her skills !!! I will never forget her as Danni = the only little note i would say is i agree with some people that Danni and Court should have had a better ending rather then Court and her sister.