Although it’s not without its dopey moments, there’s a touching, underlying sincerity to Ernest Thompson’s coming-of-age drama, which follows the growth from adolescence to adulthood for Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr amidst the political and social turmoil of the late 1960s. With strong supporting performances and a memorable score, the movie manages to overcome some of Thompson’s less effective choices, like some clumsy transitions and a few overlong scenes. As Sutherland’s quietly simmering mother, Mariette Hartley has a crackerjack kitchen scene that leaves an emotional impact on the overall movie.
Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)
