Shoot the Moon (1982)

Albert Finney (George) and Diane Keaton (Faith) play well against each other in this rather bleak and (for director Alan Parker) subdued story about a middle-class California couple trying and failing to be "grown-up" about divorce. George is a successful writer who has found another woman. After he walks out, Faith takes up with the handsome working-class stud who is building their tennis court (played by Peter Weller). Her new relationship is just something to ease the pain; George's might be more, except that he is drawn back again and again to his own house, his own wife, and his three daughters--especially the eldest (Dana Hill), who angrily refuses to forgive his dereliction. Increasingly unbalanced, and finally violent, he tries to bully his way back into their lives while maintaining his new life. The movie is too slow, and the surprisingly clichéd emotional atmospherics (a lingering shot of Finney in a boat on a lake, clutching his head in grief) sometimes make you feel you have stumbled into a bad made-for-TV event. But the story's the thing--that and the two fine leading performances. --Richard Farr Amazon.com

No better film on divorce and its affect on children

I was waiting for this film to come out on DVD. It's an exceptional movie with one of the finest performances by an adolescent that you will ever see.

Albert Finney and Diane Keaton star as the Dunlaps, a successful Marin County-living couple whose marriage falls apart. Dana Hill portrays Sherry, the oldest of their four daughters (a very young Tracey Gold, Tina Yothers and Viveka Davis round out the other children).

Sherry is old enough to see what is happening, but too young to handle the aftermath. I believe that a Washington Post critic at the time, said Ms. Hill's portrayal was the finest adolescent dramatic performance ever filmed. One would be hard pressed to argue that point.

Keaton and Finney were both nominated for Golden Globes. For the amazing dramatic peformances alone, this is a must-see. For the dead-on interpretation of the effects of divorce on the family dynamic, do yourself a favor and pick up this DVD. August 2, 2008

Shoot the Moon

I love this movie! It was an enjoyable and wonderful commentary on a family torn asunder. March 26, 2008

Two for the moon

Director Alan Parker squeezed out this underrated 1982 gem about the bitter disintegration of a marriage in between his higher-profile films "Fame" and "Pink Floyd's The Wall", but for some inexplicable reason, it did not see light of day on DVD until late 2007. The film does have its detractors; some have dismissed it as a somewhat shrill and shallow exercise. Granted, Bo Goldman's script does scrimp on character's motivations at times, but the performances, particularly from Albert Finney and Diane Keaton as the sparring couple and the teenaged Dana Hill as their eldest daughter, resonate in a very real and genuinely heartbreaking way. Also with Karen Allen and Peter Weller. The evocative location photography is used to great effect; the fog-laden, verdant Marin County landscape actually becomes a character in the film-appearing somehow lovely and wistful at the same time. Parker and Goldman provide the commentary track. Excellent transfer. February 15, 2008

Shoot The Moon

Shoot The Moon is an excellent film about a family divorcing. Albert Finney has put his marriage under great stress. Karen Allen is wonderful as his girlfriend. The performances of Diane Keaton, Dana Hill and the other 3 daughters are absolutely out of this world. A real sleeper of a movie with a fine cast all around including Peter Weller. A must watch about a family breaking up. December 21, 2007

So Glad This Is On DVD, A Classic

George and Faith Dunlap are getting a divorce. This mostly affects George, Faith, and their eldest daughter. George's new love interest,with whom he now resides, tells George that if he doesn't work out, she will go on to find someone who will. Faith's new love interest, the creator of a tennis court that is being developed on the sprawling Dunlap family property during the whole film, seems quite taken by Faith, yet seems to be a survivor of the school of hard knocks, even at a relatively youthful age, and someone able to pull himself together should life throw him any pitfall. One scene I always remember from the film happens when George introduces his four girls to his girlfriend at her beach property for the first time. The girlfriend, with an enormous smile [Karen Allen has an enormous smile], tells the girls that she has cookies and lemonade. The girls exchange a conspiratory disgustful look [who, but someone evil, would mess with the classic, milk and cookies] and at the moment one knows that she will not be on the girls' team, and because of that, they most likely will not be on hers. Familiarity is a theme throughout the film. Even though one senses that things were not good at Faith and George's house before they separated routine seems to be something they all used to depend on, and begin to miss, especially when they realize that those days are gone for good.

Someone told me that she saw this in a "family living" class at school. The acting is great. The finale is something that will stay with most viewers well after the film has ended. I taped this off of HBO a long time ago, and the tape has long expired, so very glad it is now available on DVD. November 28, 2007

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