The Prince of Pennsylvania is a dark comedy film directed by Ron Nyswaner and starring Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia, and Amy Madigan. The story follows a dysfunctional family living in a small town in Pennsylvania, and their attempt to strike it rich by kidnapping the patriarch of the family, Gary (played by Fred Ward). Rupert Marshetta (played by Keanu Reeves) is the son of Gary Marshetta, a man who has always dreamed of a better life outside of his father's blue-collar job. Rupert's mother, Polly (played by Bonnie Bedelia), is an alcoholic who has been obsessed with her own beauty since her youth. She is prone to fits of anger and sadness, and is generally neglectful of her children.
Rupert enlists the help of his rebellious girlfriend, Carla (played by Amy Madigan), to kidnap his father and hold him for ransom. But when they abduct Gary, they soon realize that nobody is willing to pay to get him back. This realization leads to a series of comedic and sometimes violent encounters between the family members, as they try to come to terms with their own desires and shortcomings.
Throughout the film, Rupert struggles to reconcile his own aspirations with his family's expectations, and ultimately learns that money cannot solve all of his problems. The Prince of Pennsylvania was released in 1988 and received mixed reviews from critics, but it has since become a cult classic among fans of dark comedy and independent filmmaking.
