The Sunchaser (1996)

Michael Reynolds is a rich oncologist who has a $175,000 sports car, a multi-million dollar home, and a new boost in his career. Brandon 'Blue' Monroe is a dying patient who kidnaps ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writer:

Charles Leavitt

Stars:

Woody Harrelson, Jon Seda, Anne Bancroft

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Woody Harrelson	...	Dr. Michael Reynolds
Jon Seda	...	Brandon 'Blue' Monroe
Anne Bancroft	...	Dr. Renata Baumbauer
Alexandra Tydings	...	Victoria Reynolds
Matt Mulhern	...	Dr. Chip Byrnes
Talisa Soto	...	Navajo Woman
Richard Bauer	...	Dr. Bradford
Victor Aaron	...	Webster Skyhorse
Lawrence Pressman	...	Agent in Charge Collier
Michael O'Neill	...	Agent Moreland
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Cashier
Carmen Dell'Orefice	...	Arabella
Brooke Ashley	...	Calantha Reynolds
Andrea Roth	...	Head Nurse
Bob Minor	...	Deputy Lynch

Storyline

Michael Reynolds is a rich oncologist who has a $175,000 sports car, a multi-million dollar home, and a new boost in his career. Brandon 'Blue' Monroe is a dying patient who kidnaps Reynolds. They are going to a legendary Navajo healing place while manhunt closes in. Soon the men get closer in understanding and to the place that may save them both.

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Plot Keywords:

navajo | road movie | terminal illness | cnn reporter | euthanasia | 

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Taglines:

It began as a kidnapping. It became a journey of hope.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Navajo

Release Date:

25 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sunchaser

Filming Locations:

Jerome, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Appledown Films Inc., Monarchy Enterprises B.V., Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was entered into the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.

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Quotes

Dr. Michael Reynolds: You have a television.
Navajo woman: No. I get Good Morning America through smoke signals.

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Crazy Credits

For Hal

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"What a Difference a Day Makes"
Written by María Grever and Stanley Adams
Performed by Esther Philips
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User Reviews

A Road Movie Like No Other!

Have to say I'm a massive fan of the road movie genre, films like Duel, Breakdown, Roadkill and Wolf Creek. This film was really quite different.

There's a kind of spiritual theme to it all. Towards the latter stages of the picture, the audience get a sense of the character development and how the Doctor (Woody Harrelson), who incidentally excels in this, builds a sort of relationship with the kidnapper and cancer sufferer (Jon Seda), who really shows what he can do as a teenage convict - pure genius, a magnificent performance.

So here goes. While being transferred, Seda manages to escape the police escort and when Harrelson comes over to take a look, Seda takes him hostage and a whole road movie starts.

What's great is the fact that the audience often underestimate the character of Blue. He actually shows he's got levels of intelligence when he explains to the Doctor (who thinks he will die) after a rattlesnake bite, that using electricity works wonders, so using the car, Seda puts his magic to the test.

We see that as well as the foul-mouthed fool that Reynolds believes he is, Blue is actually a believer and has faith, hence his journey to the sacred lake that supposedly has healing powers "May beauty be behind me, in front of me, above me, below me and aaalll around me".

Very emotional as it nears its climax and one heck of a movie. Just cannot praise it enough + I would love to see Seda back in action on the big screen, this time in some more prominent pictures.