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      The Indian Runner

      R Released Sep 20, 1991 2h 6m Drama List
      74% 19 Reviews Tomatometer 80% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score After getting into trouble with the law, violence-prone Frank Roberts (Viggo Mortensen) seeks help from his brother Joe (David Morse), an even-tempered policeman. Frank hopes to start fresh, and his brother has faith that he can do it. So Joe agrees to let Frank stay -- despite the admonitions of his wife, Maria (Valeria Golino), who would rather not have Frank in the house. And though he performs well at first, Frank's inner turmoil eventually erupts, creating chaos in their once tranquil home. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Oct 17 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Bruce L I think my expectations for this film were too great. Mortensen role was over the top and it was really difficult to generate any compassion for him as a character. The film is overlong, with multiple vignettes that are incoherent and don't really add enough background to the characters to sufficiently explain the dynamics of the family. I think both Charles Bronson, Dennis Hopper and Sandy Dennis were wasted in this film. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review jwcdood THE INDIAN RUNNER is a well cast and well directed drama with outstanding and engaging performances by all (some of their best). And, the period correct soundtrack is excellent as well. What a sleeper; I'm really glad I watched it! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/30/23 Full Review gioconda d I heard Sean Penn speak about this movie in LA [which he wrote & directed. } He spoke about how difficult it was for hims to raise money for film projects that he directed while he was offered millions for acting. It's a shame because the two movies I've seen he directed are truly excellent. Viggo Mortensen at the prime of his looks, Valerie Golino, an excellent Charles Bronson, Sandy Dennis & David Foster's truly heart-wrenching performance as the brother of Viggo's character who cannot understand or tame his wild raging younger brother. After all these years the movie seems better than when I first saw it. Too bad for the cinema world Sean could not raise money to direct more than 2 films. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/12/23 Full Review Audience Member All star acting performances by these actors when they were younger. A little long and drags in places but it connects the dots. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/24/21 Full Review Audience Member It's a bit of a chore to get through, but it has some excellent performances and drama. It speaks some interesting truths about devotion to blood ties. The end will probably frustrate you though, as real it may be. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/27/18 Full Review Audience Member It’s a bit long and hard to get through at times, but it’s worth seeing once. It isn’t the most engaging of stories but it’s got some intense moments and an interesting take on family Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/19 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Indian Runner

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (19) Critics Reviews
      Variety Staff Variety Rambling, indulgent and joltingly raw at times, Sean Penn's first outing as a director takes a fair amount of patience to get through but has an integrity that intermittently serves it well. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Penn's first project as writer/director is a film out of time, drenched in an overbearing '60s world-view which veers between the dated and the dopey. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times Loose, rambling and sometimes rudderless as it is, "The Indian Runner" has a fundamental honesty that gives it real substance. Rated: 3.5/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com The film is slow and pretentious, but it's a feature debut and Sean Penn, a distinguished actor, is good with his cast. Rated: C+ Apr 29, 2011 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Muscular if overwrought drama with great performances. Rated: 4/5 Oct 5, 2006 Full Review Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Rated: 3/5 Nov 10, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After getting into trouble with the law, violence-prone Frank Roberts (Viggo Mortensen) seeks help from his brother Joe (David Morse), an even-tempered policeman. Frank hopes to start fresh, and his brother has faith that he can do it. So Joe agrees to let Frank stay -- despite the admonitions of his wife, Maria (Valeria Golino), who would rather not have Frank in the house. And though he performs well at first, Frank's inner turmoil eventually erupts, creating chaos in their once tranquil home.
      Director
      Sean Penn
      Producer
      Steve Bannon, Mark Bisgeier, Thom Mount
      Screenwriter
      Sean Penn
      Distributor
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Production Co
      Columbia Pictures Corporation
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 20, 1991, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Sep 16, 2008
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $152.9K
      Runtime
      2h 6m
      Sound Mix
      Surround
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