Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Colibel Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Hulkeasexo it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

Janae Milner Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

sarajevo-2 This film, showing the breakup of a marriage and the devastation wrought for the four children, has some striking performances, particularly in the scenes with the children. Dana Hill, who played the barely teenage eldest daughter, was phenomenal, and I don't remember seeing better ensemble acting from children ever. Their energy together was remarkable.Diane Keaton also gave a strong performance as Faith, the wife left by a husband who has fallen for another woman. I wasn't so impressed with Albert Finney's portrayal of the husband, George, but perhaps that's because he played such a flawed character, a warm and passionate man who succumbs to violence when frustrated.While there are some intense and moving character portrayals in the film, the motivations for the intensity that was portrayed was hardly shown. Why did the marriage break up? We see the anger and frustration, but have no idea what caused it. What was so appealing about the new woman in George's life and the new man in the Faith's life? And most important, why did Faith and the eldest daughter stay loving such a violent man? At one point, George breaks into the house, locks his wife out of the house and beats his daughter because she won't accept his birthday gift or talk to him. Afterwards, there are no repercussions. It's like the filmmakers feel that this kind of violence is normal and acceptable.There is an almost comic scene in a restaurant, where George and Faith argue violently, and then start to fight with other guests who complain. This incites passion in them, not disgust.This theme, that violence arises from passion, and is therefore almost acceptable, I found disturbing. I was surprised that other reviewers didn't mention it.

preppy-3 Drama about what happens when two parents (Albert Finney, Diane Keaton) divorce and the effect it has on them and their children.I must have seen this 3 times when it came out. I was only 20 and had no intention of marrying but the script and superb acting kept me coming back. The film pulls no punches and is sometimes very hard to watch (the R rating is well-deserved). You see a family slowly falling apart and it's painful. The only bad thing was the ending. One character overreacts ridiculously (Peter Weller) and things are still left hanging. I suppose that was left for the viewer to draw their own conclusions.The acting is exceptional--Finney and Keaton give dynamic performances. Dana Hill is just as good as their daughter. Peter Weller and Karen Allen are in this too--they're good but underused. There's also a cute joke in the film--you see all the girls singing "Fame" while being driven to school. That was director Alan Parker's last film before he did this.It's a crime this isn't available yet on DVD. A superb, shattering, emotional drama. Well worth catching.

mmitsos-1 If you haven't seen "Shoot the Moon", see it. It is very difficult to find, as it appears to be out of print. To a degree, it reminds me of "The Pumpkin Eater" (Eng., 1964), with Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch. Both films deal with bad marriages, in which the husband cheats. Also, the husbands in both films are writers (Peter Finch plays a screenwriter, Albert Finney plays a novelist), and the wives are very supportive, up to a point. However, comparisons seems to end at this point, as "Shoot the Moon" really portrays the emotional stages of divorce and its effects on the entire family and others in their environs whereas "The Pumpkin Eater" focuses mostly on the character of Jo Armitage, played by Anne Bancroft, and her proclivity to have children and find most of her self-worth in raising children.Diane Keaton and Albert Finney play the husband and wife in "Shoot the Moon", and they are both absolutely superb in their roles. Ditto for Dana Hill, the actress playing their oldest child (very tragically, this very talented actress died in 1996 due to complications from diabetes). This film is so realistic, and the acting, all the way around, is so natural. Diane Keaton's scene singing in the bathtub is particularly moving, as is the scene in which Albert Finney wants to give his eldest daughter her birthday present. This whole latter scene was portrayed very realistically....no sugar-coating here, and for that, I applaud Parker and the cast. Keaton's scene with Peter Weller (who plays Frank) on their first "date" was also very realistic and low-key, considering the emotions her character Faith is going through, just re-entering the "dating" scene since her husband left her. Faith's announcement of her knowledge of her husband's affair, to her husband, in the middle of talking about running out of orange juice, was also so realistic. This screenplay was simply very well written all the way around. I might not agree with the ending entirely; but, it was a story option that was plausibly pursued. On a few other notes, the soundtrack offers a nice throwback to the '70's (Bob Segar, etc.). Also watch for a young Tracey Gold, who would later star in "Growing Pains" and a younger Tina Yothers, who would later star in "Family Ties". I highly recommend this film....a very good story and great acting together provide for a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. In retrospect, it was sorely overlooked on Oscar night.

janeybkla This movie pulls no punches as it shows the pain divorce causes all involved, not just the husband and wife. I was motivated to talk with my now adult child and step-children about my divorce and remarriage. Knowing from a Keaton biography that she had broke up with Warren Beatty just before starting this film adds to the pain of watching her suffering here. The argument in the restaurant might be over the top, but it was a relief to laugh.I guess Albert Finney did a great job because I wanted to strangle him throughout the film and cheered when Frank gave him what he deserved.