Shoot the Moon (1982)

A fifteen year marriage dissolves, leaving both the husband and wife, and their four children, devastated. He's preoccupied with a career and a mistress, she with a career and caring for ... See full summary »

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer:

Bo Goldman

Stars:

Albert Finney, Diane Keaton, Karen Allen

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Finney	...	George Dunlap
Diane Keaton	...	Faith Dunlap
Karen Allen	...	Sandy
Peter Weller	...	Frank Henderson
Dana Hill	...	Sherry Dunlap
Viveka Davis	...	Jill Dunlap
Tracey Gold	...	Marianne Dunlap
Tina Yothers	...	Molly Dunlap
George Murdock	...	French DeVoe
Leora Dana	...	Charlotte DeVoe
Irving Metzman	...	Howard Katz
Kenneth Kimmins	...	Maitre D'
Michael Alldredge	...	Officer Knudson
Robert Costanzo	...	Leo Spinelli
David Landsberg	...	Scott Gruber

Storyline

A fifteen year marriage dissolves, leaving both the husband and wife, and their four children, devastated. He's preoccupied with a career and a mistress, she with a career and caring for four young children. While they attempt to go their separate ways, jealousy and bitterness reconnect them.

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Plot Keywords:

marital crisis | mistress | family relationships | bathtub | trailer narrated by hal douglas | 

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Taglines:

There's one thing about marriage that hasn't changed . . . The way you hurt when it begins to fall apart.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Donde hay cenizas

Filming Locations:

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$9,217,530

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,217,530

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), SLM Production Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dana Hill was eighteen years of age when she played thirteen year old Sherry in this movie.

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Goofs

The selective rain that seems to hit the actors only is evidently not falling on the background, which remains inexplicably dry.

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Quotes

Sherry Dunlap: What's with this honey shit all of a sudden?

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: One from the Heart/Night Crossing/Montenegro/Shoot the Moon (1982)

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Soundtracks

If I Fell
(uncredited)
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

User Reviews

A Masterpiece!

This is the best film I've ever seen on how someone can destroy the very foundation that nourishes them, and then, ultimately, resort to the most dramatic measures when they realize what they've done. This is a case study in how couples grow apart. The acting on the part of Diane Keaton and Albert Finney is among the best of their distinguished careers. Ditto Karen Allen, Peter Weller, and most of all, Dana Hill. There are scenes in this film that will stay in my mind forever, especially the one where Diane Keaton is crying while singing "If I Fell" in the bathtub. The soundtrack is outstanding and the songs are used to perfection. Notice the use of "Play With Fire" when Diane Keaton and Peter Weller start their affair.

The movie to me is about how when one person loses touch with themselves, they take so many other people down with them. George is not a bad guy but he has grown irreparably apart from his family. As with many extremely successful people, living in one of the most prestigious counties in the United States, he lost touch of the man he was and what he needs most. The scenes between Albert Finney and Dana Hill, who plays his oldest daughter, are absolutely heart wrenching.

Personally, I think the ultra-dramatic ending is extremely raw and honest. It still haunts me after all these years.

I will always give this film a 10 out of 10.