Main Cast: David Morse, Viggo Mortensen, Valeria Golino, Patricia Arquette, Charles Bronson
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 127 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
The Indian Runner, Sean Penn's debut film as director (he also wrote the script, based on the Bruce Springsteen song "Highway Patrolman") is a brooding tale of two brothers -- one peaceful and sedate, the other violent and aggressive -- whose natures, left unchecked since they were children, are set to the boiling point as they head toward middle-age. David Morse is the quiet brother, Joe Roberts, who is a deputy sheriff in a small town. His older brother Frank (Viggo Mortensen) shows up on Joe's doorsteps, after a recent run-in with the police. Frank tells Joe that he is coming back home to stay and that he has given up his criminal life. His wife Maria (Valeria Golino) is skeptical, but Joe tells her that he is prepared to help Frank get his life back together. Frank has almost convinced himself that his future holds real promise and he's ready to start a new life with his pregnant girlfriend Dorothy (Patricia Arquette). But, once again, Frank's violent temper explodes, and everyone's plans for Frank's future crumble into rubble. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
Sean Penn makes an arresting directorial debut with this intense character drama inspired in equal parts by the stark, folksy, early-'80s recordings of singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen (the film is loosely based on his song "Highway Patrolman") and the improvisational films of actor/director John Cassavetes. Like the latter's work, Penn's first behind-the-camera foray is somewhat light on story mechanics; those accustomed to plot-heavy, preprogrammed Hollywood entertainment will likely be bored. Those seeking a richer, more reality-based and character-driven intellectualism will be delighted by the film's brooding, introspective qualities, its dedication to emotional truth, and its skillful, subtle deployment of violence that bubbles just under the surface of every scene. Leads Viggo Mortensen and David Morse are superb, which is no surprise given the extent to which The Indian Runner is an actors' picture. If the proceedings are a little flat and lacking in visual punch, Penn proves himself supremely gifted at working with fellow thespians; his subsequent directorial efforts would star such luminaries as Jack Nicholson and Helen Mirren. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Sandy Dennis - Mother; Dennis Hopper - Caesar; John Blythe Barrymore; Harry Crews - Mr. Baker; Benicio Del Toro - Miguel; Jim Deveny - 1st Deputy; Trevor Endicott - Joe (12); Brandon Fleck - Frank (7); Phil Gould - Man at Del Mar; Helen Halmes - Dorothy's Mother; Larry Hoefling - Larry; Jimmy Intveld - Kid on Highway; Kathy Jensen - Lady at Carwash; Eddie Katz - Guy on Commode; V. Stacy Klein - Lucy; Thomas Blair Levin - Clyde; James J. Luxa - Randall's Partner; Joe Martin - Dorothy's Father; Adam Nelson - Cellmate; Dr. Leland J. Olson - Doctor; Annie Pearson - Hotel Manager; Jordan Rhodes - Randall; Enzo Rossi - Raffael; Eileen Ryan - Mrs. Baker; Elaine Schoonover - Bearded Lady; Don Shanks - Young Indian Runner; Kenny Stabler - Indian Runner; Neal Stark - Circus Midget; Chuck Ulmer - Frank's Boss; Deede Wehle; Allison Caine
Credit
Bill Groom - Art Director, Patricia Morrison - Co-producer, Jill M. Ohanneson - Costume Designer, Sean Penn - Director, Jay Lash Cassidy - Editor, Phillip Linson - Editor, Jack Nitzsche - Composer (Music Score), Michael Haller - Production Designer, Buzz Feitshans - Cinematographer, Anthony Richmond - Cinematographer, Stephen K. Bannon - Producer, Mark Bisgeier - Producer, Thom Mount - Producer, Sean Penn - Producer, Don Phillips - Producer, David Shamroy Hamburger - Producer, Derek R. Hill - Set Designer, Jeff Jensen - Stunts, Sean Penn - Screenwriter
The story, set in 1960s Nebraska, involves two very different brothers: Joe (David Morse) a small town deputy sheriff, and Frank (Viggo Mortensen), a criminal.
Before the events of the film, Joe had tried to farm for a living, but was unable to make ends meet, and the bank eventually foreclosed on his property. He became a deputy sheriff as a way to support his young wife (Valeria Golino) and child. Joe is a good, conscientious man, but has his own demons to fight with. The opening shot of the film shows a car chase which ends with Joe using his gun to kill a man in self-defense. This results in Joe's conflicted feelings about killing the criminal, as well as the praise and scorn from members of his community from this shooting. Frank, who had been involved with run-ins with the law before going to Vietnam, is described by his father (Charles Bronson) as having "restlessness". Upon his return to town, he breaks into his brother's home and is nearly shot by Joe's wife. The next day, Frank leaves town without ever stopping by his parents' home. As Joe states in the narration, Frank was correct in his assessment that his parents would understand, as they always seem to when he hurts those who love him.
Joe does not hear from his brother for some time, but eventually discovers that he is in jail in another state from their father, who had kept the information quiet to avoid upsetting their mother (Sandy Dennis). After their parents' death, Frank is released from prison and returns to his hometown with his pregnant girlfriend (Patricia Arquette). He tries to settle down and find a job, but keeps getting into trouble with the law — which, of course, puts him in conflict with Joe.
Critical reception
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Joe and Frank represent not only the two sides of manhood in society, but also, possibly, the two sides of Sean Penn's own character.[1]
Producer Don Phillips gave Penn's screenplay to two producers, who liked it but felt that the ending was not commercial enough to interest a Hollywood studio.[2] Phillips' friend Thom Mount, who had his own production company and was a big fan of Penn's work, thought that they might interest a studio if they could get a movie star like Tom Cruise interested in appearing in the film. Penn spotted Mortensen in the film Fresh Horses and was drawn to the actor's "angularity, a severity to his handsomeness", that he thought would be perfect for the role of Frank.[2]
Penn and Phillips sent Mortensen the script while he was making Young Guns II in Tucson, Arizona and flew there to meet with him.[2] The actor agreed to star in Penn's film. Penn had Morse and Mortensen rehearse their pivotal scene in a bar for two weeks. The director had a bar set up in a gymnasium which allowed the actors to blow off steam by shooting baskets in between rehearsals. While making the film, Penn felt that Mortensen's "inherent kindness" was too visible and had him work with a member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club that the director knew in order to acquire an edginess that Penn felt necessary for the character.
The Indian Runner is the last film to feature Sandy Dennis, who died shortly after it was released. [2]
