The Man in the Moon
Performance & Direction: The Man in the Moon Review
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Man in the Moon (1991) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Man in the Moon features a noteworthy lineup led by Sam Waterston . Supported by the likes of Tess Harper and Gail Strickland , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Man in the Moon
Quick Plot Summary: The Man in the Moon is a Drama, Family, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Man in the Moon
Ending Breakdown: The Man in the Moon resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Man in the Moon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Man in the Moon?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Man in the Moon
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.2M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Man in the Moon Budget
The estimated production budget for The Man in the Moon is $1.2M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Man in the Moon
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Man in the Moon Online?
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Apple TV StoreThe Man in the Moon Parents Guide & Age Rating
1991 AdvisoryWondering about The Man in the Moon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Man in the Moon is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Man in the Moon is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1991 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Man in the Moon worth watching?
The Man in the Moon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Man in the Moon parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Man in the Moon identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Man in the Moon?
The total duration of The Man in the Moon is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Man in the Moon
_**Two sisters growing up in the Deep South in the late 50s**_ During the summer of ’57 in rural Louisiana a 14 year-old girl (Reese Witherspoon) and her older sister (Emily Warfield) maneuver through the challenges of family, boys, responsibilities and more. Sam Waterston and Tess Harper play the parents while Jason London appears as a new neighbor that attracts the attention of the younger sibling. “The Man in the Moon” (1991) is a coming-of-age drama in the South in the mold of “Ode to Billy Joe” (1976), “The Great Santini” (1979), “My Girl” (1991), “Lawn Dogs” (1997) and “Simon Birch” (1998). It’s as good, or better, than the best of those. Reese was 14 at the time of shooting and this was her feature film debut. The movie’s full of gems relating to relationships, spirituality, tragedies, forgiveness and growth. ’Nuff said. The film runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in the heart of Louisiana: Natchitoches (the Trant house), Kisatchie (the swimming hole), Robeline (church scene), Chousatta (dance scene) and Many (store scene). GRADE: A-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
