The Man in the Moon is a drama film, directed by Robert Mulligan and released in 1991. The story is set in rural Louisiana in the 1950s and follows the lives of two sisters, 14-year-old Dani Trant (Reese Witherspoon in her feature film debut) and her older sister, Maureen (Emily Warfield).
Maureen is described as being smart, beautiful, and popular with the boys. She also has dreams of going to college and getting out of their small town, while Dani is still figuring out her place in the world. The girls are close, with Maureen looking after Dani and helping her navigate her teenage years.
The story begins with Dani and Maureen spying on a group of boys who have set up camp by the lake. Dani catches the eye of Court Foster (Jason London), one of the boys, and they strike up a flirtatious conversation. Later, when Dani and Maureen attend a dance, Dani is surprised to see Court there, and they dance together.
Maureen, who has been watching from afar, immediately takes a liking to Court and starts to pursue him. Court, however, is more interested in Maureen, and they begin a secret romance. When Dani finds out about the relationship, she feels betrayed by her sister, who she considers her best friend.
As the summer progresses, tensions between the sisters continue to rise. Maureen becomes more and more distant, and Dani feels left out and alone. When tragedy strikes, the sisters are forced to come together and reconcile their differences.
The Man in the Moon received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and screenplay. The film launched Reese Witherspoon's career, and her portrayal of the young, feisty Dani Trant was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. Overall, the movie is a heartwarming and poignant coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of family, love, and loss.
