A Walk on the Moon

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A Walk on the Moon

R

Released Jan 29, 1999

1h 47m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Unfulfilled housewife Pearl Kantrowitz (Diane Lane) suffers in quiet misery as the tumultuous events of the summer of 1969 unfold on the surface of her television screen. But, when Kantrowitz invites hunky traveling salesman Walker Jerome (Viggo Mortensen) into the safety of her living room for the live broadcast of the historic moon landing, they begin a passionate affair that threatens to destroy her marriage to her straight-laced high school sweetheart, Marty (Liev Schreiber).

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Critics Consensus

An impressive showcase for Diane Lane and an assured debut from director Tony Goldwyn, A Walk on the Moon finds absorbing period drama within a family at a crossroads.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

There's a good, solid story here, even if it isn't quite told in the proper order. And the actors do a lot with their roles.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 13, 2023

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Somewhere in the midst of the dramaturgy is a fine performance by Anna Paquin as a teenage girl struggling with new ideas and raging hormones. Every time I saw her character onscreen, I thought: There's the real story.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Mortensen as Lane's clandestine love interest is nothing but a symbol of beauty and freedom.

May 26, 2006

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Romance novel material, albeit it gussied up in a handsome, well-made package.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 20, 2004

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Linda Cook

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Rated: 5/5

Aug 4, 2004

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Susan J

Corny, lame story that's badly miscast. Diane Lane in no way seems like a Jewish woman and all the Jewish people in this film--a lot of the plot hinges on that culture--are silly over-the-top caricatures. Two stars because Viggo Mortensen is SO beautiful--so hot. It's hard not to root for Diane Lane to leave her dreadful boring dull-witted TV repairman husband (Liev Shreiber) and run off with free-lovin' exciting Viggo.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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M T

Slow burn movie with solid acting, directing and kept me engaged the entire run time. Love these movies where when you read the summary and it doesn't spark a lot of interest but you give a chance and it really surprises you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

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Raja Raghudeep E

This movie is special, never seen anything like that!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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Sar B

A brilliant subtle movie with great nuanced performances from all the actors, from the leads to the co-stars to the cameos. A must see for adults. Great movie to watch with someone you're in love with.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

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Tony Z

Diane Lane quietly answering "Yes," to her husband's damning questions, expressing in equal parts shame and newly acquired selfhood, was an astonishing scene. Here's to the cast of a drama which leaves fresh prints on well-trodden ground, sharpened by the microscope the family finds itself under in the summer camp milieu.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/13/23

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Lisa M

It's a wonderful story of a young mother who never had a chance for have any idea what she missed out on since she was married n had her first child at17. Her husband is always working hard and doesn't know how to give her attention. I believe she loved Walker but she doesn't want to separate her children so she makes things work out with her husband Marty. Good ending but sad because I think she fell in love with Walker. Timeless movie. I'd give it 10 ⭐️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/23

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Tony Goldwyn

Director

Diane Lane

Pearl Kantrowitz

Viggo Mortensen

Walker Jerome

Liev Schreiber

Marty Kantrowitz

Anna Paquin

Alison Kantrowitz

Tovah Feldshuh

Lilian Kantrowitz

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Synopsis

Unfulfilled housewife Pearl Kantrowitz (Diane Lane) suffers in quiet misery as the tumultuous events of the summer of 1969 unfold on the surface of her television screen. But, when Kantrowitz invites hunky traveling salesman Walker Jerome (Viggo Mortensen) into the safety of her living room for the live broadcast of the historic moon landing, they begin a passionate affair that threatens to destroy her marriage to her straight-laced high school sweetheart, Marty (Liev Schreiber).

Director: Tony Goldwyn
Producer: Jay Cohen, Tony Goldwyn, Lee Gottsegen, Dustin Hoffman, Neil Koenigsberg, Murray Schisgal
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Punch Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround

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