My American Cousin (1985)

Twelve years old Sandy lives with her parents and two younger sisters on an idyllic ranch in Canada. However she's not quite happy: her parents keep on treating her like a child. One night ... See full summary »

Director:

Sandy Wilson

Writer:

Sandy Wilson

Stars:

Margaret Langrick, John Wildman, Richard Donat

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margaret Langrick	...	Sandy Wilcox
John Wildman	...	Butch Walker
Richard Donat	...	Major Wilcox
Jane Mortifee	...	Kitty Wilcox
T.J. Scott	...	Lenny McPhee
Camille Henderson	...	Shirley Darling
Darsi Bailey	...	Thelma
Allison Hale	...	Lizzie
Samantha Jocelyn	...	Sue
Babs Chula	...	Dolly Walker
Terrence Moore	...	Al Walker (as Terence Moore)
Brent Severson	...	Johnny Wilcox
Brian Hagel	...	Danny Wilcox
Carter Dunham	...	Eddie Wilcox
Julie Nevlud	...	Ruth Wilcox

Storyline

Twelve years old Sandy lives with her parents and two younger sisters on an idyllic ranch in Canada. However she's not quite happy: her parents keep on treating her like a child. One night her cousin Buck from America arrives in a fancy car for a surprise visit. She thinks he's attractive and would like to be close with him, but he considers her too young, too. Only some time later her family learns that Buck ran away from home and took his mother's car. Sandy would like to fly with him further on...

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Plot Keywords:

fight | falsie | french kissing | precocious child | cadillac | 

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Taglines:

"He was a charming runaway in a big, fancy car who dazzled me completely..."

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mein Cousin aus Amerika

Filming Locations:

Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Borderline, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Independent

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

At the Dominion Day Dance, set in 1959, the band plays the Drifters' hit "Save The Last Dance For Me", even though this song wasn't initially released until August, 1960.

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Quotes

Sandy Wilcox: Dear diary... nothing ever happens.

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

"I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore"
Written by Paul Anka
Performed by Tom Lavin
Produced by Tom Lavin of Powder Blues for Blue Wave Productions Ltd.

User Reviews

Sweet and humorous

I saw this movie in 1988 because Gene Siskel said that Hollywood needed to make movies like this. (the other title he mentioned was Sweet Lorraine). I saw it with my wife while we were dating, and just saw it again, 16 years later. I liked it as much this time as before, although my emotions are filtered through some nostalgia for our dating.

But since dating and nostalgia are what the movie is about, it fits in well.

Funny story of an American boy, about 16, who's run away from home and struggling to be cool amongst Canadians in a a small British Columbia town, circa 1959. The lead character, his Canadian cousin, who is almost 13, is perfectly acted by Margaret Langrick, capturing the angst and adventure of puberty. She has a crush on her cousin, as do all the other girls.

It is a little campy, but doesn't have the ironic detachment of most camp. There's loads of irony here, and tons of humor, but there is a lot of affection (and attachment)for the characters that made it, for me, touching.

Our five children liked it, too.