The Sunchaser ** (1996, Woody Harrelson, Jon Seda, Anne Bancroft) – Classic Movie Review 3962

Director Michael Cimino’s interesting, but finally unsatisfying offbeat 1996 crime drama thriller The Sunchaser stars Woody Harrelson, Jon Seda and Anne Bancroft as Dr Renata Baumbauer. It turned out to be the last feature film directed by Michael Cimino.

Jon Seda.

Dying cancer patient Brandon ‘Blue’ Monroe (Jon Seda) abducts wealthy tumour-specialist oncologist doctor Michael Reynolds (Woody Harrelson) a $175,000 sports car, and they head off on a journey taking them to the Navajo healing grounds, while being pursued by the forces of law and order.

Woody Harrelson.

Written by Charles Leavitt, it is an odd, long-drawn-out thriller (122 minutes) with good performances, striking cinematography by Douglas Milsome, eye-catching locations, a fine score by Maurice Jarre and interesting, intelligent ideas along the bumpy way. But it suffers a contrived, thrown-away, unsatisfying conclusion that finally scuppers it.

Anne Bancroft.

Also in the cast are Alexandra Tydings, Matt Mulhern, Talisa Soto, Richard Bauer, Victor Aaron, Lawrence Pressman, Michael O’Neill, Harry Carey Jr as Cashier, Brooke Ashley, Andrea Roth, Bob Minor and Harper Roisman.

Anne Bancroft died on 6 June 2005, aged 73.

Harry Carey Jr (1921–2012).

It is the last feature film of Harry Carey Jr, who died on 27 December 2012, aged 91.

16 May 2019: Remembering reliable iconic Westerns character actor Harry Carey Jr (1921–2012) born on 16 May 98 years ago,  the son of actor Harry Carey Sr and actress Olive Carey.

Michael Cimino (February 3 1939 – July 2 2016).

RIP Michael Cimino (February 3 1939 – July 2 2016), for ever remembered as the director of The Deer Hunter, as well as Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Heaven’s Gate, Year of the Dragon, The Sicilian, Desperate Hours and The Sunchaser – just seven movies, plus the screenplays of Silent Running and Magnum Force.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3962

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com