Promised Land (1987)

This gritty drama follows two high school acquaintances, Hancock, a basketball star, and Danny, a geek turned drifter, after they graduate. The first film commissioned by the Sundance Film ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Hoffman

Writer:

Michael Hoffman

Stars:

Jason Gedrick, Tracy Pollan, Kiefer Sutherland

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Gedrick	...	Davey Hancock
Tracy Pollan	...	Mary Daley
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Danny 'Senator' Rivers
Meg Ryan	...	Beverly 'Bev' Sykes
Googy Gress	...	Baines
Deborah Richter	...	Pammie
Oscar Rowland	...	Mr. Rivers
Sandra Seacat	...	Mrs. Rivers
Jay Underwood	...	Circle K Clerk
Herta Ware	...	Mrs. Higgins
Walt Logan Field	...	High School Coach
Kelly Ausland	...	Schroeder / Ashville Basketball Player #1
Todd Anderson	...	Pat Rivers
Dave Valenza	...	Glenn
Theron Read	...	Harting

Storyline

This gritty drama follows two high school acquaintances, Hancock, a basketball star, and Danny, a geek turned drifter, after they graduate. The first film commissioned by the Sundance Film Festival, it portrays the other half of the American dream, as Hancock and his cheerleader girlfriend Mary wander to a middle-class mediocrity out itself out of reach for Danny and his psychotic wife Bev.

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Plot Keywords:

basketball | tattoo | wedding | life | skinny dipping | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Young Hearts

Filming Locations:

Reno, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$316,199 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Great American Films Limited Partnership, The Oxford Film Company, Vestron Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[waking up the "morning after"]
Bev: Where's the cat?
Danny: What cat?
Bev: The cat that shit in my mouth.

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Crazy Credits

Best Dog ... Cheetah

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Connections

Referenced in Game K N B: Episode dated 3 March 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"DREAMS AND PROMISES"
Performed by Janey Street

User Reviews

The Fate of Each One in a Great Low Budget Movie

In the small town of Ashville, Hancock (Jason Gedrick) is the best basketball player and local hero. Mary (Tracy Pollan) is a cheerleader and his gorgeous girlfriend. They both intend to go to the college together. Their friend Danny 'The Senator' (Kiefer Sutherland) quits high school and moves alone to the Arizona, trying to have a good job and a better life. A couple of years later, Hancock is the local chief of police, living from his glorious past; Mary is studying Arts, and although still loving Hancock, she can not accept life in Ashville and has a new boyfriend; and Danny is a complete loser, who decides to get married with the crazy Beverly (Meg Ryan) and spend the Christmas Eve in his home town with his family. The story ends in a tragic way. 'Promised Land' is a depressive tale about the fate of each one and, in accordance with the initial credits, is based on a true story. The young cast has a great performance, the story is never corny, and it is great to see an American low budget movie about real common people, and not the fancy Hollywood reality. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): 'Terra Prometida' ('Promised Land')