March 24, 2011
Not sure but I guess that I may have been able to appreciate it more had I understood it more.
David Morse,
Viggo Mortensen,
Valeria Golino,
Patricia Arquette,
Charles Bronson
... see more 
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,... read more
DVD Release Date: December 11, 2001
Stats: 284 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (284)
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January 17, 2008Great Penn movie with two amazing actors doing some of their best work... oh yeah, and one God (Bronson) taking a hiatus from ass kicking to give an amazing performance. It's awesome how Penn uses great actors the world has forgotten about (Bronson, Mickey Rourke and Michael O K... read more
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September 16, 2011Touching tale, but didn't live up to its full potential.
PLOT:Based on the Springsteen song, "Highway Patrolman", Sean Penn directs this feature about a cop, Joe (David Morse), who tries to reconnect with his brother, Frank (Viggo Mortenson) but his growing range keeps him fro... read more -
July 13, 2011This movie was ok in a few parts but for the most part dragged ass and felt kinda meh to me. The actors were good enough but I couldn't stand Patricia Arquette at all and she was especially annoying in this. Dennis Hopper was under used just like he was in true romance, funny eno... read more
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June 29, 2010Sean Penn?s stylish direction is very effective in making this film work. Well photographed and visually appealing. Sometimes the slower pace works, but at times it drags the movie along. Very well acted, especially by Viggo Motensen, excellent support from Charles Bronson. The c... read more
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May 1, 2009What a tedious movie this is. Borders on boring. I only watched it because I knew it was based on the Springsteen song "Highway Patrolman". Great song. You'd think it would translate well to film. Not in this case. Sean Penn can be forgiven, as this is his first attempt to write ... read more
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July 14, 2007See it because Sean Penn did a hell of a good job on direction.
See this before Viggo Mortensen became a mythological creature. (See him also in Prince of Darkness...tasty!)
See this because the restrained character portrayal by David Morse is brilliant. -
January 7, 2007Depressing, ponderous, in places even pretentious. But full-frontal Viggo nudity makes it ALL better.
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December 24, 2006Not the greatest movie, but certainly worth watching for the incredible performances of Viggo Mortensen and David Morse.
Critic Reviews
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Loose, rambling and sometimes rudderless as it is, "The Indian Runner" has a fundamental honesty that gives it real substance. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Penn surrounds his brothers with supporting characters who are so well-realized, I'll remember them as long as I remember the leads. Full Review
June 1, 1991
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Penn is trying to get at gritty American ''truths'' about love, brutality, and blood ties. Somehow, though, it's all a bit pat: By now, even these stark themes have the ring of movie conventions. Full Review
April 29, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The film is slow and pretentious, but it's a feature debut and Sean Penn, a distinguished actor, is good with his cast. Full Review
October 5, 2006
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Muscular if overwrought drama with great performances.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Penn's first project as writer/director is a film out of time, drenched in an overbearing '60s world-view which veers between the dated and the dopey. Full Review
July 18, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Probes the love/hate relationship between two brothers destined to follow different stars. Full Review
May 24, 2003
Film4
Penn's generosity to his actors is welcome, and Mortensen and Morse make the most of it with substantial performances, but a tighter reign might have livened up a film that at times becomes a little p... Full Review
June 27, 2001
Bill Craske, Senses of Cinema
Although the camera always gives precedence to the actor, Penn is not just merely a manipulator of theatrics. He conjures up superb images rivalling anything in modern American moviemaking. Full Review
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The Indian Runner
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