The Prince of Pennsylvania ** (1988, Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia, Amy Madigan) – Classic Movie Review 12,028

Writer-director Ron Nyswaner’s inventive 1988 black comedy drama film The Prince of Pennsylvania stars Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia, and Amy Madigan.

Keanu Reeves plays Rupert Marshetta, an oddball misfit youngster in love with older woman Carla (Amy Madigan). Rupert schemes with Carla to kidnap his weird father (Fred Ward) and hold him for ransom to get money to enjoy a future together.

Some fresh and acute observations of small-town life are doled out by debut director Ron Nyswaner, but his script is too slack and uneven, and by the end everything just peters out.

Though the great cast plays the piece up well, they would have benefited from a snappier screenplay than this, but the movie is still worth a look.

Also in the cast are Jeff Hayenga, Tracey Ellis, Joseph De Lisi, Don Brockett, Todd Bryant, Linda Carola, Dan Monahan and Jay O Sanders.

To explain the title, the father tells Rupert he sees himself as the king of Pennsylvania, his wife as the queen, and Rupert as the prince who will inherit his kingdom.

The score is by Thomas Newman.

The film is shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The scenes for the high school dance are filmed at Chartiers Houston High School in Houston, Pennsylvania.

The main cast are Fred Ward as Gary Marshetta, Keanu Reeves as Rupert Marshetta, Bonnie Bedelia as Pam Marshetta, Amy Madigan as Carla Headlee, Jay O Sanders as Trooper Joe, Jeff Hayenga as Jack Sike, Tracey Ellis as Lois Sike, Joseph De Lisi as Roger Marshetta, and Don Brockett as Tony Minetta.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,028

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