The Man in the Moon

PG-13

Released Nov 15, 1991

1h 39m

Drama

Romance

List

91%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Maureen Trant (Emily Warfield) and her younger sibling Dani (Reese Witherspoon) share a strong connection, but local boy Court Foster (Jason London) threatens to throw their bond off balance. Dani and Court meet first and have a flirtatious rapport -- but when he meets Maureen, he falls hard and they begin a passionate affair. The new couple try to keep their love hidden from Dani, but she soon learns the truth, disavowing her sister. But a heartbreaking accident later reunites the girls.

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Critics Consensus

It's sentimental, and some viewers may feel manipulated by the melodramatic final act, but The Man in the Moon offers a finely drawn coming-of-age story with an excellent cast -- including Reese Witherspoon in her film debut.

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Henry Sheehan

Chicago Reader

Although The Man in the Moon is frequently sad to the point of pain, it ends with a quietly optimistic poignancy. This is due partly to the film’s performances

Rated: 4/4

May 24, 2022

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Newcomer Witherspoon manages to strike exactly the right note as the tomboy on the verge of womanhood while Waterston works on several levels at once.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

The heart-warming tone steadily becomes overheated.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It's refreshing seeing a film so sensitive, sincere, and devoid of all sensationalism. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 30, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The screenplay is so strong at developing relationships that it's easy to forgive the heavy-handed developments that occasionally knock the film off its track (including a ferocious storm that suggests Dorothy and Miss Gulch might soon be making cameos).

Rated: 3/4

Nov 16, 2021

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Few filmmakers have captured the American south quite like Mulligan, and The Man in the Moon is his graceful, deeply moving farewell.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 4, 2019

Full Review

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Veronica V

lowkey good movie, but Dani needs justice because her 304 sister took her man knowing that she liked him and still continued to get with court , and I know its not just the sisters fault its also his , but she how much she really liked him, and then after court died she had the audacity to ask Dani for forgiveness, and guess what she forgave her like.. that's lowkey unrealistic, or maybe its not unrealistic IDK all i know is if my sister took my first love I wouldn't speak to her ever again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

Full Review

Angelina D

I saw a clip online and was drawn to it almost immediately. The true story behind, "first love" at a young age, the attachment and emotions are indescribable. The character "Dani" 's love for "court's was pure, young love. Court was just too old for her, and the fall out of their relationship with danis older sister Maureen was, almost lust and mature love. Truly a good awe and cry movie. Beautiful story line.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

Full Review

mojo s

i loved how simple the movie was build up and how real the emotions felt. i'm glad that i stumbled across this masterpiece!! a must watch in my opinion

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/24

Full Review

Landon S

This was such a good movie. I cried so much and I love to see this cause it was one of Reese Witherspoons first movies. So good you will cry.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

William R. P

It seems Cort died while I was watching Jack Palance's Dracula

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

Chris H

A touching coming of age film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

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Robert Mulligan

Director

Sam Waterston

Matthew Trant

Tess Harper

Abigail Trant

Gail Strickland

Marie Foster

Reese Witherspoon

Danielle 'Dani' Trant

Jason London

Court Foster

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The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Court's Accident

2:14

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Love at First Sight

2:08

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Bad News

1:28

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Dani Goes Skinny Dipping

2:08

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - I'm Not a Little Girl

2:03

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Jump with Me

1:33

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Wild Ride

2:07

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - The Man in the Moon

2:13

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - First Kiss

2:11

The Man in the Moon: Official Clip - Fatherly Advice

1:31

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Synopsis

Maureen Trant (Emily Warfield) and her younger sibling Dani (Reese Witherspoon) share a strong connection, but local boy Court Foster (Jason London) threatens to throw their bond off balance. Dani and Court meet first and have a flirtatious rapport -- but when he meets Maureen, he falls hard and they begin a passionate affair. The new couple try to keep their love hidden from Dani, but she soon learns the truth, disavowing her sister. But a heartbreaking accident later reunites the girls.

Director: Robert Mulligan
Producer: Mark Rydell
Screenwriter: Jenny Wingfield
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround

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