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Wow! Such a good movie.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Coming-of-age piece set in small town America during WWII. Sean Penn has seldom been so youthfully exuberant and amiable playing a young working-class man about to go off to war, finding love for the first time with a sweet lass he presumes is wealthy ("a Gatsby girl"). Richard Benjamin's direction is sensitive and breezy, and Elizabeth McGovern is a good romantic match for Penn (though sometimes she talks down to him, like a big sister might). Nicolas Cage is also fine as Sean's goof-off buddy, yet the slim screenplay hasn't enough meat on its bones and the middle portion of the film goes around in circles. The period flavor has been captured with non-showy flair, and Penn's exceptional performance is winning, making the film a nearly-satisfying nostalgic drama. *** from ****

Recap: The Second World War is raging around the globe. In a little town in California the war is nowhere to be seen but always present. Two young boys, Henry and Nicky, is about to turn 18 and is eager to be off to the war. Now, only a few weeks remain, and the boys have a lot to do before they enlist. Henry meets the beautiful Caddie, a girl he thinks is a little out of his league, in any case considering social status. Both Henry and Nicky are from lower working class, and considers the rich spoiled and like people from some other kind of world. Time ticks, and now they have to tie up all lose ends, which is not as easy as two teenager want them to be.Comments: The story, or rather there are not much of a story or a plot as there is life. This is a few weeks out of the two boys life, a time of much growing up to do, and a time of friendship without limits. So to speak the story is not very good, one might think. But due mostly to the casts ability to make it so real, so authentic, and so alive and feel so current even though the movie is filmed twenty years ago and set over sixty years ago. And then it hits you that the story is not bad either, because its never meant to be that kind of story that tell some events, its a story about life that everyone (more or less) can relate to. And viewed in in that light, the story is very good.But as already mentioned, its the actors and actresses, and their acting that really makes this movie worth watching. The friendship between Henry and Nicky, the growing relationship between Henry and Caddie feel very real. You can feel, more than see, the bonds between them. You can feel them evolve together, or just having a good time, or both.A young Sean Penn is magnificent in the lead as Henry. Its very impressive that an actor in the beginning of his career is able to make such an performance and carry such a heavy burden of the movie. He has good help though. A equally young Nicolas Cage plays Nicky, Henry's friend that has a knack for getting into trouble, and does it really well. He is the wilder one, compared to Henry, but would never fail his friend. And then, Elizabeth McGovern as Caddie. At the beginning of her career too, but already with a Oscar nomination behind her, she has the ability to pull off a very difficult part. The character of Caddie is a little in the shadows behind Henry and Nicky, but when called upon Caddie, i.e. McGovern really shines and interacts well with Henry, and gives him the reason to grow.It is very impressive that the director Benjamin and the producers dared to give all the leads to such young actors. Their trust paid off well though.Personally I also liked Henry's father, who had his own way of giving fatherly advice to his soon, but clearly also understood what he went through. A very sympathetic character. And also keep an eye out for a young Michael Madsen.So, mostly because of the acting (and in some part also the fun to see well-known actors in the beginning of their careers) 8/10

I have introduced this movie to many of my friends, as it seems no one has really seen it, or heard of it, but it is truly Wonderful and whenever I get anyone to watch they always agree.A beautiful, bittersweet look at those touching, heart wrenching times in the 40's as the war was beginning and so many young men willingly went to trenches. I love the setting, California along the pacific coast, such extraordinary scenery. Sean Penn in this movie changed the way I looked at him, I realized his depth and sensitivity here. I have loved him ever since.I have always loved anything about the 40's and this movie offers it up in spades. From the movie theaters, the roller rink, the side jobs every one had,to the shoes Caddie desires, this movie really captures that era. The bowling alley is priceless. Nicholas Cage does an incredible job here, much more so than the overblown, self-conscious acting he acquires later.Movies I really like all have one thing in common, details. All the little details and extra touches in this movie make it special. From the pool room scene (nerve-racking) to the abortion scene to the treasure map scene, there are so many wonderful moments in this movie I am astonished it did not get more recognition. But I am a fan of movies that move slow and allow you to absorb the characters and background and plot. I hate car chases and fight scenes.This movie is about people and emotion and feeling and should be a must see for those who care about those sorts of things.

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!!!!