Die Zeit verrinnt - die Navy ruft

... in this nostalgic romance from Paramount Pictures and director Richard Benjamin. It's 1942, and two friends (Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage) are looking forward to induction into the Marine Corps and going off to fight in WWII. They waste their last few weeks of freedom chasing girls, playing pool, getting drunk and working at the local bowling alley. Penn meets a nice girl (Elizabeth McGovern) who may be more than just a good time, but dealing with life's circumstances may be more than their fledgling romance can endure. Nicely written, with a gentle directorial touch that smooths the sometimes difficult subject matter. The performances are all fine, with Cage standing out in one of his first substantial roles.

We never get to see the two main characters in the movie go to War. This world war 3 setting coming of age drama is not so much about the war over in Japan but the war on the home front. Growing up in 1943 in small town California, searching for love and meaning. Sean Penn is great in his role. Even more, Nicolas Cage is better as his close friend and side kick. Whether for comic relief of ream moments of edgy drama, Cage delivers. Also, a surprise in the movie is the performance of Elizabeth McGovern who is always beautiful. The three quickly discover life as they grow up before the two boys are shipped out to the Pacific. Michael Madsen and Crispin Glover pop into the movie with small roles. A nice movie, I wasn't expecting much until the movie started. It is a guarantee crowd pleaser.

If you like the romance movies this one is the one. It is smart in a nice way and its dramatic. It takes place in 1940s. Elizabeth McGovern is great, Nicolas Cage, And Sean Penn. :):):):):):) I dont know why they call it racing with the moon. watch it!!!!

Saw it in 85 on video with my then girlfriend and another couple, we 18 yr old guys were like chick flick? Great. And as it turned out it was great, the Characters were all flawed and a bit overacted but that was ok, it was believable and a window into another time, that maybe we didn't understand or agree with it being the party 80s and all. But it was still clean fun and nostalgic in a way to young people who were basically watching their grandparents lives a few decades earlier. A few things still stand out. The pool hall scene, the necklace, and McGovern and Penn at the end. Loved her in Once Upon A Time In America and him since At Close Range with Ronnie Walken and Bad Boys with Clancy Brown and Ally Sheedy (aka weird dandruff girl in The Breakfast Club) 4 great movies of the time. Recommend watching Racing and all the other movies I have referenced in this remembrance if not a revue.

"Racing with the Moon" (1984): Richard Benjamin directed Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, Elizabeth McGovern, Crispen Glover, Carol Kane, Michael Madsen, Dana Carvey - the list goes on - in this "showcase" film, where lots of talent received a major boost. Set in 1942, only weeks before two best friends ship out with the Marines for World War II, we share intimate, funny, pathetic, sad, frightening, and ambivalent moments with flawed people you really come to believe you know, and deep down just have to like. This is a bittersweet, not sugary, nor hopeless story. It's believable, with the mixed emotions, set in that confusing, frozen summer between child and adulthood. Scoring is appropriate, photography is somewhat contrived in spots, but that's the 80's for you. The "truth" of the story, and the talented actors are why you will appreciate "Racing with the Moon".