Dakota

Dakota was filmed in the spring of 1987 and some of the Texas filming locations included the McKinney Town Square, Collin County Grain Mill & Elevator, Westminster-Anna ( Aunt Zards), Allen Water Tower, The Circle T Ranch in Roanoke, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area near Fredericksburg. Most of the cast and crew were from Texas with the exception of Actress Herta Ware who plays Aunt Zard. Actors Eli Cummins, Lawrence Montaigne and Helena Humann (scenes deleted) had a list of credits to their names. At the time Lou Diamond Phillips had already filmed La Bamba and had completed filming The Los Lobos Music Video La Bamba for MTV. The Movie Premiere of Dakota took place November 1,1988 at The Northpark III in Dallas.

I understand that Lou Diamond Phillips did this film and another one entitled Harley before hitting it big in La Bamba and Stand and Deliver. Someone had some good business sense because I'm betting they made a few dollars in the wake of the release of those other Hollywood made films.

Back in the days of the studio system, Dakota would have been a B film and playing the bottom of double bills. Dakota certainly doesn't have the advantages of a Hollywood made product. But the location filming was fine and it is a nice heartwarming story which is the basis of any decent movie.

Lou is a kid who accidentally caused the death of his younger brother and he takes to the road. After a scuffle in a fast food joint with a couple of the locals, he works out his probation at a ranch where he makes good friends with the foreman and his family.

Turns out Lou is an ace mechanic and the owner of the ranch has a vintage car he's entering in a cross country race. A hobby that Lou's father also has.

Another part of the plot is young Jordan Burton who is a cancer survivor and an amputee. He's the son of the ranch foreman and Lou and he bond and their scenes are special.

Things all do work out in the end in this nice family film for young Lou Diamond Phillips. Dakota is good wholesome entertainment even though it hasn't Hollywood production values.

Dakota (1988) was another early Lou Diamond Phillips starring vehicle. This film is similar to the later released film Harley. There are a few differences but they're both the same. I don't know which one came first. I guess it'll remain one of the mysteries of life. But they both are troubled "kids" who are trying to turn there lives around. Instead of bikes this one involves horses. They're basically the same movie and they're both cheesy as hell. If you're a serious L.D.P. fan then I recommend that you watch them both. You get some extreme mugging and posturing from L.D.P. if you're game then go for it.

Not recommended, except for L.D.P. fans!!!

This is a great movie about finding yourself, and love, and forgiveness. It's a great family movie or a great date movie unless your date is cynical or jaded or prideful. Yes, some of the acting could use some help but if you turn off the "movie critic" part of your brain and instead open your heart you'll see why this is a good movie. I saw this movie when I was 17 in high school with my church's youth group. I had felt lost earlier in high school and could identify with the main character. Those that call part of this movie "melodrama" are probably just saying that as an emotional defense mechanism since they might not have felt that type of love before. Open your mind and heart and I think that you'll love this movie too. Peace.

This film is too skeletal. It's a fairly low-budget film (I hope!) which excuses it somewhat, but the lack of a decent cast and a fleshed out plot hurts it too much. Phillips is quite believable in his role as a torn-apart son of a well-off family who's searching for himself (though his family is...er...well, a little too white...), but the rest of the cast is grasping at straws. Every moment that has potential is ruined by excessive melodrama, and there are *way* too many sub-plots (which is an obvious sign of plot-deficiency. They needed filler...) I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone who isn't either a hard-core Phillips fan, or who has absolutely *nothing* to do. 4/10.