66
Metascore
11 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Miami HeraldBill CosfordMiami HeraldBill CosfordMake no mistake, Racing With the Moon is a modest film; that's one of the reasons it works so well, being a meticulously made miniature. And it's a joy. [28 Mar 1984, p.C7]
- 88Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertRacing With the Moon is a movie like Valley Girl or Baby, It's You, a movie that is interested in teenagers and willing to listen to how they talk and to observe, with great tenderness, the fragility and importance of their first big loves.
- 80The New York TimesVincent CanbyThe New York TimesVincent CanbyRacing With the Moon demonstrates such intelligence and wit that the result is an unexpected pleasure.
- 75Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe sensitive directing of Richard Benjamin and the exquisite cinematography of John Bailey give the comedy and drama a special glow, as do the strong performances by Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage and the stunning one by Elizabeth McGovern. [03 May 1984, p.29]
- 75Washington PostRita KempleyWashington PostRita KempleyRacing With the Moon is the second directorial effort for Richard Benjamin, whose first film was the ribald My Favorite Year. He tries and overwhelmingly succeeds at masterminding a more dramatic style. Slowly paced, it's nonetheless a film on track for patient, compassionate viewers. [23 Mar 1984, p.23]
- 70Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrI don't care for Benjamin's way of using death to validate his sentimental themes, but at this point any American movie that can get past the "I love you”s without audience snickers has to be counted a success.
- 50TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineIn this slight film about two boys about to be drafted into WWII, everyone tries hard, but the movie is essentially superficial and has difficulty sustaining audience interest.
- 50Washington PostGary ArnoldWashington PostGary ArnoldA would-be endearing romantic entertainment that becomes an exercise in futility, Racing With the Moon concentrates a considerable amount of pictorial polish, acting talent and sincerity on a trifling amount of content. [24 Mar 1984, p.C1]
- 40NewsweekDavid AnsenNewsweekDavid AnsenSean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern and Nicolas Cage are three attractive, gifted young actors whose combined talent, if properly used, could set a movie ablaze. Nothing of the sort happens in Racing With the Moon, a movie that wants badly to be taken as tender and understated when in fact it's merely dull and trite. [02 Apr 1984, p.85]
- 30Time OutTime OutVery little seems to happen in this social vacuum, and none of it is memorable.