MovieChat Forums > Pontiac Moon (1994) Discussion > Lets assess a critics summary of this mo...

Lets assess a critics summary of this movie


Pontiac Moon (1994)
Have you ever dreamed of doing the impossible when everything around you is in absolute shambles? If you could do that one perfect thing...maybe your life would make some kind of sense. This movie takes place in the summer of 1969 and Washington Bellamy (Ted Danson) has the dream to drive cross country with his son in his 1949 Pontiac Chief, ending up at the Spires of the Moon National Park at the exact time that the Apollo astronauts are landing on the moon. There is one other catch...he wants the speedometer on the Pontiac Chief to read the exact distance from the earth to the moon when he arrives! This would be 238,857 miles. He has it all mapped out.
Washington's wife, Katherine (Mary Steenburgen), has not left their home for over seven years. There are reasons for this from the past and also stacks of newspapers lining the walls. These stacks appear to be her protection from the outside world.

Their son, Andy (Ryan Todd), seems to be the sanest member of this dysfunctional family. A dysfunctional family is always much more entertaining than a normal family (whatever that is).

Washington has also designed a car that travels both on land and on water. Driving this car on the freeway could make smoking cigarettes a damn good idea!

This is a fun and slightly desperate road movie directed by Peter Medak ("The Ruling Class" and "The Krays").

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I think this movie is desperate to get to the boring stage. There are good actors in the movie, but they certainly aren't acting for what they are worth - the story and the dialogue have much to do with that. Anyone who has a desire as set forth in the plot of this movie is really a fruitcake. Someone who was mentally home-bound suddenly can leave the house without a problem? The words funny, adventurous and thrilling cannot be associated with this movie. The only emotion I felt watching this movie is: why haven't I changed the channel yet?

No wonder this movie was never put into theater distribution. Smart move.

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I actually liked this film. I know it's a slow moving film, but I liked the 3 main charectors.

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I thought this film was quite sweet and funny. It's done with a winning surplus of real heart and warmth.

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