Directed by Peter Yates (Bullitt, The Dresser) and written by Steve Tesich (American Flyers) based on his college experiences at Indiana University in Bloomington, this big-hearted film is simply one of most charming coming of age stories ever put to celluloid. It won Tesich a Best Screenplay Academy Award in 1980 and was nominated that year for Best Picture and Best Director for Yates, Best Supporting Actress for Barbara Barrie, and Best Music for Patrick Williams.
Dennis Christopher stars as directionless recent high school grad and Italian-bicycle-racing-obsessed 19-year-old from a working-class family. He and his three besties—Mike (Dennis Quaid), Cyril (Daniel Stern), and Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley)—spend their time swimming in the abandoned water-filled limestone quarry, where many of their fathers worked before it was closed. The affluent college kids at Indiana University disparagingly refer to them as “cutters,” referring to stone cutters.
There are tons of laughs, some romance, some tears, and some hard lessons, and the film culminates with the townies being granted permission to race in the university’s Little 500 race, and if you’re not crying by the end, rush to the doctor—you’re missing your heart. Terrific film! (101 min.)
—Glen Starkey
This article appears in May 15-25, 2025.
