A Walk on the Moon

Starring: Diane Lane, Viggo Mortensen, Liev Schreiber, Anna Paquin, Tovah Feldshuh
Directed by: Tony Goldwyn
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Drama
1999

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: in 1969, a woman (Diane Lane) spends another vacation with her husband (Liev Schreiber), daughter (Anna Paquin) and son (Tovah Feldshuh). On this particular vacation, however, she meets an attractive stranger (Viggo Mortensen) with whom she has an affair. This action threatens to destroy her family but liberate her from her boring lifestyle. She must choose which path to pursue.

Review:

Tim: A Walk on the Moon is a decent film with a stupid title about a woman who faces her own life and husband during the summer of 1969 and has an affair with a kind stranger. The movie is moderately entertaining, but offers nothing that hasn't been done before.

The real reason to watch this movie is for the good performances. Diane Lane is excellent as always. Viggo Mortensen plays a somewhat one-dimensional character, but he does a good job and is a realistic character for Lane to cheat with. Liev Schreiber (one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood) gives a good performance as Lane's wife. Anna Paquin is only decent as their daughter.

It is interesting to mention that Lane would later star in Unfaithful which is very similar to this film, but much better. I recommend checking that film out whether you liked this one or not.

A Walk on the Moon doesn't really get good until the last half hour. The emotional pull and strain on the characters is very interesting to watch. Pay attention to the scene after the wasp attack (just watch to understand). the following scene is pretty touching and emotional.

On a final note, the radio/dancing scene at the end of the movie is ridiculous and painful to watch. Lane and Schreiber end the film on a lowpoint. Way to be lame, guys. Seriously, though, this film is decent and something different from the typical Hollywood film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Unfaithful, The Manchurian Candidate, Under the Tuscan Sun, Kate & Leopold, A Perfect Murder, The Piano