Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Prince of Pennsylvania (1988)
Director: Ron Nyswaner
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
The problem with small town movies is that story and characters can seem as inconsequential as the place itself. Nyswaner's episodic script counters this by playing up the idiosyncrasies of his horizontally mobile mining family, presided over by domineering patriarch Ward. Oppressed by Ward's narrow pursuit of the American Dream, his wife (Bedelia) turns to obsessive consumerism and clandestine nookie with Ward's best pal, while his eldest son (Reeves) indulges in Heath Robinson inventions and unrequited love for the world-weary ex-hippy owner of a run-down ice-cream joint (Madigan). Determined to avoid a life of quiet desperation, Reeves hatches a bizarre plot to kidnap his own father and split the ransom (a jealously-guarded family nest-egg) with his mother. The quirky charm soon wears thin as the shrewd observations of small town frustration give way to a more strained oddball humour. By the time Reeves dons a Freddy Krueger mask to abduct his father, one feels the desperation has begun to affect the film itself.Author: NF
Cast & crew
Director: Ron Nyswaner
Producer: Joan Fishman
Cast: Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia, Amy Madigan, Jeff Hayenga, Tracey Ellis full cast
Duration: 93 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now