A Walk on the Moon (1999)

The world of a young housewife is turned upside down when she has an affair with a free-spirited blouse salesman.

Director:

Tony Goldwyn

Writer:

Pamela Gray

Stars:

Diane Lane, Viggo Mortensen, Bobby Boriello

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bobby Boriello	...	Daniel Kantrowitz
Diane Lane	...	Pearl Kantrowitz
Anna Paquin	...	Alison Kantrowitz
Tovah Feldshuh	...	Lillian Kantrowitz
Liev Schreiber	...	Marty Kantrowitz
Julie Kavner	...	P.A. Announcer (voice)
Stewart Bick	...	Neil Leiberman
Jess Platt	...	Herb Fogler
Mahée Paiement	...	Mrs. Dymbort (as Mahee Paiement)
Star Jasper	...	Rhoda Leiberman
Ellen David	...	Eleanor Gelfand
Lisa Bronwyn Moore	...	Norma Fogler
Viggo Mortensen	...	Walker Jerome
Victoria Barkoff	...	Selma Levitsky (as Vicky Barkoff)
Tamar Kozlov	...	Wendy Green

Storyline

USA, summer of 1969. Man is about to walk on the moon, the Vietnam War is breaking out, and there is the great concert in Woodstock. In a holiday camp for Jewish families not far from Woodstock, Alison and her family are on vacation. Pearl, the mother is young and attractive, but defeated by life, having become pregnant on her first loving relationship, forgetting her dreams to devote herself to her children. Marty, the father is absent because he is busily occupied working at a television repair business. One day a charming salesman arrives at the camp, selling clothes and knick-knacks. He lives an intense life of love and passion, culminating in an escape to Woodstock with Pearl, where events have a deep impact.

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Plot Keywords:

adulterous wife | leg spreading | lust | panties pulled down | breast suckling | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language and some drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blouse Man

Filming Locations:

Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$78,709, 28 March 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,741,987, 4 July 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Punch 21 Productions, Groucho Film Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Diane Lane wanted Viggo Mortensen to be in the film so much that she gave up part of her salary so that the production could afford him.

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Goofs

On July 20, 1969, the moon was only 6 days old - roughly a half moon as viewed from the film's location - and would have set by 11 pm, but on the night of the moon landing, they show a full moon, high in the sky.

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Quotes

[Lilian Kantrowitz is giving Selma Levitsky a tarot reading]
Selma Levitsky: So?
Lilian Kantrowitz: No.
Selma Levitsky: "No"? That's what I pay you for? "No"?
Lilian Kantrowitz: The cards don't lie.
Selma Levitsky: Maybe they're subject to interpretation.
[Lilian picks up a card showing a man lying dead with 10 swords sticking out of his back]
Lilian Kantrowitz: Does this look like a "vacation" card?

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Crazy Credits

The producers wish to thank ... The Merchants of St-Viateur Street ...

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Mod Squad/Doug's 1st Movie/A Walk on the Moon/Edtv/Among Giants (1999)

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Soundtracks

Today
(1967)
Written by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner
Performed by Jefferson Airplane
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

the best movie I've seen in sometime

A Walk on the Moon was Tony Goldwyn's directorial debut,

and all I can say is MORE! This is an excellently constructed film. The script was written by Pamela Gray is

fantastic. If you like a film with characters who could easily be real in believable situations that you come to care about, then you will love this film. Set in upstate New York in the summer of '69 the movie focuses on the choices and the resulting consequences made by a young woman who feels trapped in her role as wife and mother. That setting with the Vietnam War, social unrest, Woodstock, and the manned moon landing is arguably one of the most interesting times of the 20th Century and woven seamlessly into the film. The soundtrack with songs from the era fits perfectly and is great. The casting and performances were flawless. After seeing the film, I can't imagine anyone else in the roles. This was the first time I had seen Liev Schreiber who plays Marty, the husband, and Viggo Mortensen, the carefree lover. Both were terrific. Tovah Feldshuh, the perceptive earthy mother-in-law, and Anna Paquin, the rebellious daughter, were perfectly cast as well. And Diana Lane as Pearl, the lead, plays her multifaceted role well. I believe this film to be worthy of Academy consideration. The category that comes to mind (and there are others) is best supporting actor for Liev Schreiber. This film is a must see for the baby boom generation. Four stars!!!!