The Sunchaser (1996)

Michael Reynolds is a rich oncologist who has a one hundred seventy-five thousand dollar sports car, a multi-million dollar house, and a new boost in his career. Brandon "Blue" Monroe is a ... 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 one hundred seventy-five thousand dollar sports car, a multi-million dollar house, 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 a 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:

cancer | on the road | native american | helicopter | teenager | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last feature film directed by Michael Cimino.

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Goofs

The cigarette the attendant in the gas station is smoking varies in length dramatically and incongruously, from being nearly smoked to the nub, almost freshly lit, and back again.

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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

Blue Rain
Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson
Performed by Roy Orbison
Courtesy of Orbison Records/Mercury Nashville Records

User Reviews

The work of a maverick director

Michael Cimino's final film "The Sunchaser" bombed but I suppose after "Heaven's Gate" Cimino was lucky to get any kind of gig. Consequently, the film virtually disappeared without trace and is, of course, now ripe for rediscovery. It's no masterpiece, (unlike "Heaven's Gate" which I firmly believe is a masterpiece), but it's no turkey either and is sufficiently 'strange' to be of more than passing interest.

It's a kind of road movie/buddy movie in which a 16 year old prisoner, (26 year old Jon Seda, excellent), who happens to be dying of cancer, escapes taking his doctor, (a miscast Woody Harrelson), hostage. It veers wildly between black comedy and some high flautin' philosophizing, bypassing the conventions of the thriller on the way. It's an ambitious picture that makes you wonder what audience Cimino had in mind, (did we really need the dotty Anne Bancroft episode), and you could say it's certainly the work of a maverick director, being closer in tone to the American films of the seventies than what was being turned out in the nineties and for all its faults you can tell it's the work of a major filmmaker, one whose real potential was never fully realized. Seek this one out.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Navajo

Release Date:

25 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sunchaser

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,845, 27 October 1996

Gross USA:

$21,508

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,508

Company Credits

Production Co:

Appledown Films Inc., Joseph S. Vecchio Entertainment, Monarchy Enterprises B.V.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1