I love the 80s. I love teen 80s movies. I love 'Vision Quest,' (as sappy as it may have been). But they took Terry Davis' wonderful novel and killed everything about it that made it wonderful.
The novel and the movie are about the same thing: a teenager named Louden Swain who is on a Vision Quest to prove his worth (to himself, if no one else). The novel, of the bildungsromane sorts (consult your dictionaries, kiddies), was about a much more adult Swain who uses wrestling as a metaphor for struggles in his own life and thing he sincerely appreciates about the people around him,which he starts to analyze more when he goes up against an extremely tough wrestling opponent, state champion Shoop. He's a pretty admirable character.
The movie is about a horny teen who's vision quest ("finding his place in the circle"), which pretty much only concerns wrestling heavyweight Shoop as a way to "make his mark" when he enters manhood (he's turning 18). Although, the quest becomes jeopardized when a cynical drifter, Carla (Linda Florentino) comes to town and changes Louden's life. Actually, her presence is not so profound in the end.
The movie is decent if you don't mind the awkwardness of Modine's portrayal of the character, as well meaning as Louden Swain may be. He's more dignified in the novel, despite only being a teenager. You still get a good story and, eighties fans are sure to enjoy the movie, despite trashing the novel. If they did ever remake this movie (and I hope to god, that no one in mainstream Hollywood gets the idea to do so), it is the one case in which they should consider sticking to the novel.
Look for the elusive Michael Schoeffling as Louden's friend, Kuch. Forrest Whitakker, Daphne Zunigan , and Raphael Sbarge all have minor roles (though Forrest Whittaker already made a name for himself in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' three years earlier). Plus, Madonna briefly appears as a club singer to perform 'Crazy for You,' and 'Gambler,' both of which are on the soundtrack.
See the movie. Read the novel. And enjoy.
The novel and the movie are about the same thing: a teenager named Louden Swain who is on a Vision Quest to prove his worth (to himself, if no one else). The novel, of the bildungsromane sorts (consult your dictionaries, kiddies), was about a much more adult Swain who uses wrestling as a metaphor for struggles in his own life and thing he sincerely appreciates about the people around him,which he starts to analyze more when he goes up against an extremely tough wrestling opponent, state champion Shoop. He's a pretty admirable character.
The movie is about a horny teen who's vision quest ("finding his place in the circle"), which pretty much only concerns wrestling heavyweight Shoop as a way to "make his mark" when he enters manhood (he's turning 18). Although, the quest becomes jeopardized when a cynical drifter, Carla (Linda Florentino) comes to town and changes Louden's life. Actually, her presence is not so profound in the end.
The movie is decent if you don't mind the awkwardness of Modine's portrayal of the character, as well meaning as Louden Swain may be. He's more dignified in the novel, despite only being a teenager. You still get a good story and, eighties fans are sure to enjoy the movie, despite trashing the novel. If they did ever remake this movie (and I hope to god, that no one in mainstream Hollywood gets the idea to do so), it is the one case in which they should consider sticking to the novel.
Look for the elusive Michael Schoeffling as Louden's friend, Kuch. Forrest Whitakker, Daphne Zunigan , and Raphael Sbarge all have minor roles (though Forrest Whittaker already made a name for himself in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' three years earlier). Plus, Madonna briefly appears as a club singer to perform 'Crazy for You,' and 'Gambler,' both of which are on the soundtrack.
See the movie. Read the novel. And enjoy.