Vision Quest (1985)

A high school wrestler in Spokane, Washington has trouble focusing on his training regimen when a beautiful young drifter takes up temporary residence at his home.

Director:

Harold Becker

Writers:

Terry Davis (novel), Darryl Ponicsan (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Modine	...	Louden Swain
Linda Fiorentino	...	Carla
Michael Schoeffling	...	Kuch
Ronny Cox	...	Louden's Dad
Harold Sylvester	...	Tanneran
Charles Hallahan	...	Coach
J.C. Quinn	...	Elmo (as J. C. Quinn)
Daphne Zuniga	...	Margie Epstein
R.H. Thomson	...	Kevin (as R. H. Thomson)
Gary Kasper	...	Otto
Raphael Sbarge	...	Schmoozler
Forest Whitaker	...	Balldozer
Frank Jasper	...	Shute
Roberts Blossom	...	Grandpa
James Gammon	...	Kuch's Dad

Storyline

Vision Quest is a coming of age movie in which high school wrestler Louden Swain decides he wants to be something more than an average high school athlete and sets his sights on a prize that many don't think he can win - he then sets out to reach his goal alone, without much support from his father or coach. His father rents a room to a young drifter, Carla. Swain falls in love with her and she helps him stay focused and prevents him from losing sight of his goals.

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Plot Keywords:

training | 1980s | teen angst | male rear nudity | white briefs | 

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Taglines:

All he needed was a lucky break. Then one day she moved in.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crazy for You

Filming Locations:

Monroe Bridge, Spokane, Washington, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$12,900,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., The Guber-Peters Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital (DVD version)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was filmed largely on location in and around Spokane, Washington State, USA. and used many local citizens in small parts and as extras.

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Goofs

As Louden and his father move to a corner to speak privately in the restaurant, the boom mic can be seen in the bottom of the screen between them.

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Quotes

Louden Swain: I'm gonna drop down to 168 and wrestle Shute
Kuch: SHUTE? Shute's a monster! A genuine geratoid! His own father has to use a livewire to keep him from fuckin' the fireplace!

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Connections

Referenced in Becker: The Princess Cruise (2001)

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Soundtracks

Time For Me To Fly
Performed by REO Speedwagon
Written by Kevin Cronin
Produced by Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath and Paul Grupp
Courtesy of Epic Records

User Reviews

Decent effort doesn't quite score a pinfall

A slightly different spin on the traditional Underdog Athlete Overcomes the Odds storyline, Vision Quest is a decent film for most viewers (for those who have actually endured the challenges of the collegiate wrestling world, the movie is practically required viewing!). Modine and Fiorentino, who went on to better-known films such as Equinox and Jade, respectively, are solid if unspectacular in roles as a high school wrestler and the world-weary object of his desires. Among the other notables who appear in the movie: a young Forrest Whitaker, James Gammon, Michael Schoeffling (Sixteen Candles), and Madonna, who contributed "Crazy For You" and "Gambler" to an underrated soundtrack. The wrestling sequences are gritty and realistic, as are the frequent portrayals of training. But the screenplay's dialogue is often choppy and does little to develop the potentially interesting characters. Subplots are hinted at but are not followed through with. And there is a lack of smooth transition between sequences. Still, Vision Quest is watchable and worthwhile as a rental (if you are a wrestler, this is especially true).