In the Mood (1987)

Based upon the true story of "Sonny" Wisecarver. In 1944, Sonny made headlines nationwide due to his affairs with 2 older adult women. (ie. He was so irresistible, that he was a danger to ... See full summary »

Director:

Phil Alden Robinson

Writers:

Robert Kosberg (story), Phil Alden Robinson (screenplay),

Stars:

Patrick Dempsey, Talia Balsam, Beverly D'Angelo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Dempsey	...	Ellsworth 'Sonny' Wisecarver
Talia Balsam	...	Judy Cusimano
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Francine Glatt
Michael Constantine	...	Mr. Wisecarver
Betty Jinnette	...	Mrs. Wisecarver
Kathleen Freeman	...	Beulah Marver
Peter Hobbs	...	The Judge
Tony Longo	...	Carlo Cusimano
Douglas Rowe	...	Uncle Clete
Ernie Lively	...	Chief Kelsey, 'Papa Bear' (as Ernie Brown)
Kim Myers	...	Wendy the Usherette
Brian McNamara	...	George
Dana Short	...	Alberta
Joshua Cadman	...	Tony (as Josh Cadman)
Nan Woods	...	Madeline

Storyline

Based upon the true story of "Sonny" Wisecarver. In 1944, Sonny made headlines nationwide due to his affairs with 2 older adult women. (ie. He was so irresistible, that he was a danger to women everywhere) Eventually being taken to court by the local authorities. He was only 15.

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Plot Keywords:

adultery | teenage marriage | 1940s | based on true story

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Taglines:

A Nostalgic Comedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Woo Woo Kid

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$999,382 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kings Road Entertainment, Lorimar Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In-joke: Newsreel narrator is identified on screen as "Alan Brady" - in reality voice of Carl Reiner (who receives a "special thanks" in credits) using name of character he played on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

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Quotes

Ellsworth 'Sonny' Wisecarver: [to Judy] Listen, every time I hear you say you hate me, I'll know that means you love me.
Ellsworth 'Sonny' Wisecarver: [voice over] It was the goofiest thing I'd ever said.
Judy Cusimano: That's the goofiest thing I've ever heard.

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Soundtracks

"BABY BLUES (Sonny's Theme)"
Music by Ralph Burns
Lyrics by Phil Alden Robinson
Vocal by Sally Stevens
© 1987 Marlor Music
All Rights Reserved

User Reviews

The Good & Bad Of 'In The Mood'

Here's a different story: funny and appealing for awhile. I say "awhile" because on the third viewing of this, I must have gotten "righteous" because I did not appreciate adultery, pre-marital sex and sex with minors as something to be glamorized. It was in this film, sad to say.

Apparently based on a true-life story of a kid called Ellsworth ""Sonny" Wisecarver, Patrick Dempsey plays the 15-year-old kid who married two adult women in the 1940s, causing scandals. In this movie, Wisecarveer is made out to be a lovable, naive, romantic and sympathetic figure despite the fact he is an immoral idiot!

The first woman he's involved with, "Judy Cusimano," is played by a pretty actress with whom I am not familiar: Talia Balsam. She reminded me of Lea Thompson. According to her filmography, she's done mostly TV work since this movie. Anyway, "Judy" and "Sonny" certainly make a strange pair. There are some funny lines between them, but she's as morally bankrupt as him.

After those two are quickly discovered and the marriage dissolved, Sonny is now the attraction of older women everywhere. It doesn't take long for Beverly D'Angelo enters the picture as "Francine Glatt" being second important adult woman in Sonny''s odd life.

Although the movie glorifies all this sleazy nonsense, it is a fun movie to watch if you've never seen it before. The bright colors in here, the 1940s mood and atmosphere, a great '40s soundtrack and some genuinely funny moment and scenes all are pluses.