Vision Quest [Blu-ray]

Director: Harold Becker Harold Becker

Overview

In a rambling, somewhat unfocused manner, this teen drama tells the tale of a high school wrestler trying to "find himself" and a woman who inadvertently enters his life just when he has to concentrate on winning a big match. A complex series of circumstances involving a broken-down car land the traveling Carla (Linda Fiorentino) in the home of Louden (Matthew Modine), the dedicated wrestler. Louden is out to lose ten pounds to get ready for a match with the state champion, and along the way, searches for spiritual solace with a pseudo Native American who after dispensing his best advice takes Louden for a visit to his grandfather, where the family wisdom apparently resides. While trying to ignore the physical attraction posed by Carla, Louden is having a fairly difficult time keeping his mind both on the match and his "vision quest." Notable in this mix of characters is the appearance of Madonna as a singer in a nightclub. Otherwise, time marches inexorably on as the wrestling match and the resolution of Louden's relationship with Carla loom on the horizon.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/16/2017
UPC:	0888574499570
Original Release:	1985
Rating:	R
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	4,666

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Matthew Modine	Louden Swain
Linda Fiorentino	Carla
Michael Schoeffling	Kuch
Ronny Cox	Louden's Dad
Harold Sylvester	Tanneran
Charles Hallahan	Coach
J.C. Quinn	Elmo
Daphne Zuniga	Margie Epstein
R.H. Thomson	Kevin
Gary Kasper	Otto
Raphael Sbarge	Schmoozler
Forest Whitaker	Bulldozer
Frank Jasper	Shute
Roberts Blossom	Grandpa
James Gammon	Kuch's Dad
Judith Hansen	Elsie
Fred Miles	Louden's Opponent
Sean Morgan	Injured Salesman
Cash Stone	Official
Ken Pelo	Hoover Team Coach
Kevin Kahl Lease	Exercise Leader
Tony Christianson	Thompson Teammate
Jay Bonnett	Thompson Teammate
Ted Collins	Thompson Teammate
Paul Spangenberg	Thompson Medic
Darrell Driggs	Referee
David Haugen	Student Manager
Tom Elkins	Announcer
Ron Silverman	Salesman
Jana Marie Hupp	Sally
Madonna	Singer at Club
Darrell Briggs	Referee
Nancy Klopper	Actor
Tangerine Dream	Composer
Christopher Franke	Composer

Technical Credits

Darryl Ponicsan

Douglas Stewart

Harold Becker	Director
Darryl Ponicsan	Screenwriter
Jon Peters	Producer
Peter Guber	Producer
Joe Mercurio	Special Effects,Special Effects
Stan Weston	Executive Producer
Adam Fields	Executive Producer
Nancy Klopper	Casting
Douglas Stewart	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Harold Becker's modest film about a high school wrestler's coming-of-age isn't long on originality but it's a far more solid and affecting film than most '80s teen fare. The story focuses on an 18-year-old wrestler (Matthew Modine) who is preparing intensely for the state championship while keeping his eye on a hot, young woman (Linda Fiorentino) who has drifted into town. The film's premise can make it seem like one of the numerous Rocky (1976) clones that flooded theaters in the '80s, and although it has predictable elements, it's filled by a more interesting and recognizably human group of people than is usually the case with such films. Like Rocky (1976), most such stories have a working-class setting which is barely sketched out, but seems to automatically imply the need for escape. Vision Quest is set in similar territory, but has respect for the milieu and its well-observed characters. Modine is appealing as the eager, hardworking kid, and Fiorentino fits the bill perfectly as the sexy, knowing boarder.