Customer Reviews

The Indian Runner

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I once heard Sean Penn's film referred to as "Method movies," and I can't think of any better description. Though having only released (as of this writing) three films, Penn has created a style that is as distinct and indentifiable as his own idiosyncratic performances as an actor. Penn's films take place in a gray area that is rarely visited by Hollywood films today -- a rather grim place where the action moves slowly and where the images are rarely happy but somehow remain impossible to look away from. These aren't the type of films that make money or draw huge weekend crowds but they are the films that people will still be watching decades from now. The first of these films was the flawed but still compelling Indian Runner, which tells the tragic story of Viggo Mortensen, an unstable vet who returns home and, despite the best efforts of his peace-maker brother David Morse, continues to spin out of control.

Obviously, this is not a happy film but it is still surprisingly touching and that's largely because of the cast -- the majority of whom have never been better and for that, I give full credit to director Penn. While its obvious, at times, that he still has a bit to learn about pacing, it is also obvious that Penn knows how to get great performances out of his actors. Mortensen, playing a role that could have easily become a flat villian, is quite simply amazing. Even as it becomes clear that this is not someone you'd feel safe living next to, the viewer still can't help but feel an amazing empathy for this fractured human being. Penn, as director and writer, is actually willing to take the time to allow Mortensen to become a real, flawed human being. David Morse, always underrated, is much more low-key than Mortensen but no less compelling. He makes his love for his brother both believable and real and it adds a truly tragic air to his efforts to protect Mortensen. However, for me, the film's most shocking revelation is Charles Bronson, cast here as Mortensen and Morse's father. After several decades worth of films where Bronson was basically a blank slate, Bronson is a revelation here. As the father, Bronson becomes a tragic, haunting father and -- and here's the shocking part for those of us who have seen the Death Wish films -- is actually believably human and vulnerable. His final emotional scene is heart breaking -- largely because of Bronson's own performance.

As I said before, this is a flawed film -- mostly in terms of pace. Sometimes, Penn does seem to be insecure about his directorial and writing choices -- as if he's straining to make sure no one misses the point. But these flaws are honestly just nitpicking. I give this film five stars because it heralded the arrival of Sean Penn as an important director and it featured some of the best acting I have ever seen in my life.

One of the finest fims of the 1990s, The Indian Runner serves as a powerful reminder of our powerlessness to change the people we love. Though the picture is unblinking in its showcase of human weakness, the film has an overwhelming compassion for the wounded souls it presents.

Viggo Mortenson breaks my heart every time I watch his character, Frankie Roberts, in his brother Joe's car--the night after his violent binge. Frankie's final monologue, a drunken, self-righteous ramble about elementary school math class and the tooth fairy (among other things), is extraordinarily strange and comprehensible. Throughout the film, Mortenson dares his brother and his wife to love him, as he spews abuse (and peas) in their faces. Not only do they continue to love this pitiful monster, but we do, too. In a perfect world, Mortenson and David Morse would have shared the Best Actor Oscar in 1991 (Anthony Hopkins can win any year he wants to) and Sean Penn would have won Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Jack Nitchze's soundtrack and the late-'60s--early '70s song selections perfectly complement the tone of this masterpiece. Midway through the film, Penn and his editor Jay Cassidy give us a scene that astonishes in its bold craftsmanship and beauty. This scene includes David Morse, Patricia Arquette, Viggo Mortenson, Charles Bronson, and some poor schmoe at his Hawaiian-style birthday party (L.M. Kit Carson, I think)--living out their lives in different parts of the Midwest over the course of one night while a singer croons over the soundtrack. One of them will soon kill himself; another goes on a crime spree; one loses his sportscar; another waits by the phone. This is maverick filmmaking, and it leaves you breathless! The scene is played without dialogue, but you still learn so much about the characters through their facial expressions and reactions.

If Sean Penn had never made another movie, he would deserve to be named among the top 10 directors of the '90s for the 127 minutes of no-compromise-storytelling he demonstrates in The Indian Runner. I will never miss another one of his films.

Although made in 1991, The Indian Runner finally came out on DVD in April of 2003, and I have had to watch it numerous times. It is a fascinating character study of Frank. To Frank, life was not shades of grey, but black and white, and he simply would not bend in order to live in this world. Basically, you watch his downfall through the course of the movie. I could understand Frank's character, though, because he was an innocent. Even though he was capable of mayhem, he was also vulnerable and sympathetic due to his uncompromising approach to life. Viggo Mortensen does his best work here, having given Frank's character the utmost consideration. Sean Penn's poetry of the movie was outstanding, weaving the Indian Runner theme throughout the movie in a variety of ways. Although the movie is 12 years old, it is incredible. For a first directorial job, it is amazing. A belated congratulations to all involved with the film. The only thing I wish it had was more special features. It would have been nice to hear the director's and some characters' takes on their approaches and characterizations.

Viggo Mortensen is outstanding in this character study of brothers reuniting amidst great troubles in their personal lives. Sean Penn wrote and directed this film, his first effort in that respect, and came away with a solid effort that has all the fingerprints of his Academy Award-winning effort "Mystic River".

Mortensen plays the "bad" brother to "good" brother Don Morse in this slice of life set in rural working class America. The film also stars Charles Bronson, who is cast against type as an aging parent, Sandy Dennis and a very young Benicio Del Toro.

It is an unflinching, honest, truthful, gritty and utterly realistic view of a family that is coming apart and simultaneously being held together by the strong grip of the good brother Morse, who is something of a latter day Bobby Ewing cast against bad brother J.R. Ewing in an unstated Midwest locale about 1968.

This movie can move slowly but is also variably gripping, entertaining, revolting and satisfying. It is emotional and carries great depth in the multilayered view of its characters, all of whom mimic real life people far more than in most movies, where the characters are often idiots acting out IQs of 6.

Not in this film, a first time triumph from writer-director Penn. Based on the type of character Penn has portrayed most of his career, I think there must be something of Penn's upbringing in this real world study of people, their interactions, their wanting to do the right thing while being unable to do so, and their sometimes futile efforts to hold on to the good things in life while all around them in crumbling.

The film ends in typical disarray and with an unsentimental message about people, their place in the world, and optimism. This is a very worthy film for people that want to see realism on the big or little screen.

A caveat: This is adult fare and not for children. Watch out for Mortensen's full frontal nude scene about half way through the flick, where he shows off his splendid 1991 physique.

Most people I've known have never seen the Indian Runner. That is very sad because this is one of the greatest films of all time. Sean Penn directed this tale of two brothers, one a family man and the other an ex-con who just can't stop getting himself in trouble. Viggo plays the tattooed and angry Frank, a man on the edge who comes home with his girlfriend played by Patricia Arquette. This film is a wild ride in their lives and it is a very sad and involving story. You can't watch the ending without being touched.

This film is about family and brothers. It shows that sometimes a person can't be saved as is the case with Frank. David Morse plays the good brother who just wants to help this lost man find his way. At the end, Frank's vicious outburst and his flight is shown as the brother seeing Frank as the child he had been versus the blood-drenched monster he had become. During this time, you see Frank's wife giving birth to their child. Its a very powerful ending to a film.

The Indian Runner is a beautiful and haunting film. Once you see it, there is something so powerful on the screen that you can't ever forget it. A masterpiece.

This is a GREAT film. Period. Emotionally raw and pyschologically intense, "Indian Runner" is a spare but moving tale of family ties and self-destruction. Viggo Mortensen is, at the same time, blistering and heartbreaking in his role as the damaged yet lovable younger brother destined for tradegy.
His performance is unforgetteable....but O'Brother Where Art Thou today, Viggo??? How is this guy not commanding top roles?
Sean Penn proves incredibly effective in his directorial debut. I put "Indian Runner" in the same class as one of Sean Penn's early acting tour-de-force's, "At Close Range." Both of these movies are critically acclaimed yet generally overlooked cinematic GEMS. If you enjoy character-driven films without Hollwood glitz and glamour, if you are drawn to authentic existential journeys, this one of the best films you've never seen. Viggo, Viggo, Viggo

Inspired by a Bruce Springsteen song "Highway Patrol Man", Sean Penn directed a disturbing and honest film. Viggo Mortensen, who plays "Frank" gives one of the greatest performances caught on film. His character is complex, dark, and revealing of a sadness which has been with him throughout his life. The final scene in which Joe sees his brother Frank as a little boy and then as blood-stained madman driving into the darkness is imbedded in my head. Its movies like this which give hope to the future of filmaking.

Believe the good reviews written here about this film. I havent cared much thus far for the movies Penn has directed after this one, I suppose its because I feel this is such a great film, he created a tough act to follow, but even if he never does top it, he can rest easy knowing he has made a great film that will stand the test of time. I like long moody films that you can settle down into a couch and get absorbed into, and this is one of those. Although, I would say it could have been trimmed down just a bit, as the pace gets just a little too slow in some areas. But overall this is a great movie, with great performances by all, and it packs an after-punch in that you may not really feel how much it has moved you until its over. Im not easily touched by most movies, but this film had tears building up in my eyes ready to roll with the ending credits. Its without a doubt one of my favorite films. This is the kind of film that reminds you, movies at there best can indeed be considered a work of art.

This is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time, and also one of the hardest to put back on the shelf and forget after viewing. The truest thing that I could say about this film is that it felt real. It looked real, felt real, and stirred up genuine emotions in me that few movies ever have. David Morse and Viggo Mortensen were perfect choices to play the brothers, and the rest of the cast were like little jewels thrown into the mix. Also, the music in the film was memorable. Would like to see a soundtrack available. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of quality performance and story. It is worth a look......

I just watched it again and I get something a little different out of it every time I watch it. I'd never even heard of it until a friend told me about it a while ago. For me, to even want to watch a movie more than once is a rare event, because alot of movies I've seen are so predictable to me, so fake, so polished, the imperfections sandblasted down to perfectly flawless imperfection, that I rarely ever get drawn in to the story or feel the emotions in a movie. On the flip side of that, I love how each character in the Indian Runner is multi-dimensional and 'real'. It's not just about a 'good' brother vs. 'bad' brother situation. It gets more complicated than that.

I'm still thinking about the part where Joe said to Frank he stills loves him even though now he understands how he thinks about the circumstances surrounding his father.....

Anyway, if you're tired of all those slick movies and you feel like you need something with more substance, something that will work your brain muscles for a bit and make you think...about people, about relationships and love, about family -- then I'd rent or buy this if I were you. I'm going to get back to looking for the soundtrack now, which is how I ended up here in the first place.