The Prince of Pennsylvania

The Prince of Pennsylvania is a comedy-drama movie that was released in the year 1988. It stars Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, and Bonnie Bedelia in the lead roles. The movie is directed by Ron Nyswaner, who is known for his work in the movies Philadelphia and Soldier's Girl.

The story of The Prince of Pennsylvania revolves around Rupert Marshetta (Keanu Reeves), who is a rebellious teenager living in a small town in Pennsylvania. His father, Gary Marshetta (Fred Ward), is a former wrestling champion who now works at a gas station. Rupert is not happy with his life and wants to run away from home, but he doesn't have the money or the means to do so.

One day, Gary Marshetta decides to commit a robbery to get some quick cash. He drags Rupert along with him, and they both end up getting caught by the police. Gary is sent to prison, while Rupert is sent to a juvenile detention center.

While in detention, Rupert meets a girl named Carla (Amy Madigan), who is also a rebel like him. They start to bond over their shared experiences and become friends. Carla introduces Rupert to her father, Cindy (Bonnie Bedelia), who is a wealthy art collector and also happens to be Gary's former girlfriend.

Rupert starts to spend time with Cindy, and they start to develop feelings for each other. Cindy sees something in Rupert that she likes and offers to help him with his problems. She gives him money and helps him get a job at her art gallery.

As he starts to turn his life around, Rupert's father Gary is released from prison and comes back home. Gary wants to start over and make things right with his son, but Rupert is not interested in reconciling with him. He sees Gary as a loser who is only going to bring him down.

The rest of the movie follows Rupert's journey as he tries to make a life for himself and figure out what he wants out of life. He struggles with his feelings for Cindy, his relationship with his father, and his own identity.

The Prince of Pennsylvania is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of family, love, and self-discovery. It is a character-driven movie that relies heavily on the performances of its actors. Keanu Reeves gives a strong performance as Rupert, who is both troubled and endearing. Fred Ward also does a great job as Gary, who is a flawed but sympathetic character. Bonnie Bedelia adds depth to the movie with her performance as Cindy, who is a driven and independent woman.

The movie is set in rural Pennsylvania, and the cinematography captures the beauty of the countryside. The soundtrack also adds to the movie's charm, featuring songs from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp.

In conclusion, The Prince of Pennsylvania is a well-crafted movie that tells a heartwarming story. It is a movie that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with their identity or their relationships with their family. It is a hidden gem that is definitely worth a watch.