THE INDIAN RUNNER (1991)

MORGAN'S RATING

In 1960s Nebraska, Joe returns from the Vietnam War embittered and emotionally estranged from his family. His older brother Frank, a cop and all-around upstanding citizen, tries to re-establish their once-close relationship. But, despite his brother's efforts, Joe drifts ever deeper into self-destructive and criminal behavior.

David Morse (Joe Roberts), Viggo Mortensen (Frank Roberts), Valeria Golino (Maria), Patricia Arquette (Dorothy), Charles Bronson (Mr. Roberts), Sandy Dennis (Mrs. Roberts), Dennis Hopper (Caesar), Jordan Rhodes (Randall), Enzo Rossi (Raffael), Harry Crews (Mr. Baker), Eileen Ryan (Mrs. Baker), Trevor Endicott (Young Joe), Brandan Fleck (Young Frank), Kathy Jensen (Lady at Car wash), James Devney (Deputy), Dr. Leland J. Olson (Doctor), Annie Pearson (Hotel Manager), Thomas Blair Levin (Clyde), V. Stacy Klein (Lucy), Benicio Del Toro (Miguel), James J. Luxa (Randall's Partner), Adam Nelson (Cellmate), Eddie Katz (Guy on Commode), Kenny Stabler (Indian Runner), Don Shanks (Young Indian Runner), Neal Stark (Circus Dwarf), Elaine Schoonover (Bearded Lady), Larry Hoefling (Larry), Phil Gould (Man at Del Mar), Chuck Ulmer (Frank's Boss), Joe Martin (Dorothy's Father), Helen Halmes (Dorothy's Mother), Jimmy Intveld (Kid), Jill Anderson (Face at the Bar, uncredited), John Blyth Barrymore (Voices, uncredited), Pete Boughn (Pallbearer, uncredited), Allison Caine (Voices, uncredited).

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: September 20th, 1991 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $34,047 (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $191,125 (USA) - The movie is loosely based on Bruce Springsteen's song "Highway Patrolman".

DIRECTOR: Sean Penn. WRITER: Sean Penn. PRODUCERS: Sean Penn and Don Phillips. CO-PRODUCER: Patricia Morrison.  EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Stephen K. Bannon, Mark Bisgeier and Thom Mount. LINE PRODUCER: David Shamroy Hamburger. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Jack Nitzsche and Wayne Coster (additiona music, uncredited). DISTRIBUTOR: MGM

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"The audacity Penn shows as an actor is wonderfully organised around the ebb and flow of his environment. As a director he probes, fully prepared to exhaust actors for spontenous results. The incorporation of comic and tragic elements in many of the scenes has an anarchic disorientating effect." -- Bill Craske, Senses of Cinema

QUOTES

Joe: I tried to tell myself I did my job. That it was in self-defense. I didn't believe me.

Frank: Somebody was boring me, I think it was me.