Pontiac Moon (1994)

An absent-minded-professor father and his son bond during a symbolic road trip through the Western U.S. while his wife tries to overcome her neuroses to save the family.

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers:

Finn Taylor (story), Finn Taylor (screenplay)

Stars:

Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Ryan Todd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Danson	...	Washington Bellamy
Mary Steenburgen	...	Katherine Bellamy
Ryan Todd	...	Andy Bellamy
Eric Schweig	...	Ernest Ironplume
Cathy Moriarty	...	Lorraine
Max Gail	...	Jerome Bellamy
Lisa Jane Persky	...	Alicia Frank
J.C. Quinn	...	Bartender
John Schuck	...	Officer
Don Swayze	...	Local
Gene Borkan	...	Trucker with Cigarettes
Ron Burke	...	Ranger
Ramsey Ellis	...	School Kid
Frank Carl Fisher Jr.	...	Fred Frook
Suzanne Ircha	...	Waitress

Storyline

An absent-minded-professor father and his son bond during a symbolic road trip through the Western U.S. while his wife tries to overcome her neuroses to save the family.

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Plot Keywords:

fear | road trip | california | idaho | moon | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the journey of becoming a family can be as difficult as going to the moon.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Traum von Apollo XI

Filming Locations:

San Rafael Ranch State Park, Patagonia, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$11,669

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Whoopi Goldberg was originally set to star as Katherine Bellamy. At the time, Goldberg was dating Ted Danson who would later marry her replacement in the film Mary Steenburgen.

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Goofs

When the Amphicar comes into the gas station it has only one windshield wiper (going). The other one is missing or wasn't working.

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Connections

Referenced in The Killing Floor (2007)

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Soundtracks

Let's Get Together
Written by Cert Powers
Performed by The Youngbloods
Courtesy of RCA Records label of BMG Music

User Reviews

Love this movie

As a movie collector for decades who considers himself very critical & picky about films, I can't help myself, I love this movie. Yeah, it's maybe a little far-fetched or corny sometimes but there isn't a second of it that's not enjoyable – it's just too charming and well directed with exactly that effect in mind, and with a beautiful musical score, superb cinematography and a tight script. I think Ted Danson possibly gives his best performance ever as Washington Bellamy, an enraptured-with-knowledge elementary school teacher who also collects beautifully oddball classic cars. The story line described above about trying to match the distance the Apollo crew travels by simultaneously driving over a large part of the country to the Spires of the Moon National Park is already a remarkably charming idea. This will be his "one perfect act" as he brings his very cute young boy with him, leaving behind an quirky paranoid wife who is always afraid to leave the house. Mary Steenburgen plays this part with superb humor as she sets off after her husband and son. Of course, interesting adventures and troubles occur during the journeys but it's Washington's never failing enthusiasm for life and its wonders that really make the film's ideas all work. I've watched this film a number of times and will watch it again into old age and when I'm no longer able to enjoy it I'll be ready to die.