Drama

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon revolved around six residents from different backgrounds whose lives intertwine in modern-day Los Angeles. At the center of the film is the unlikely friendship of two men from different races and classes brought together when one finds himself in jeopardy in the other's rough neighborhood.

Release Date : 1991-12-25

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : 20th Century Fox

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Simon

Original Name : Danny Glover

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mack

Original Name : Kevin Kline

Gender : Male

Character Name : Davis

Original Name : Steve Martin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Claire

Original Name : Mary McDonnell

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dee

Original Name : Mary-Louise Parker

Gender : Female

Character Name : Jane

Original Name : Alfre Woodard

Gender : Female

Character Name : Roberto

Original Name : Jeremy Sisto

Gender : Male

Character Name : Deborah

Original Name : Tina Lifford

Gender : Female

Character Name : Otis

Original Name : Patrick Malone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Vanessa

Original Name : Sarah Trigger

Gender : Female

Character Name : The Alley Baron

Original Name : Randle Mell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Kelley

Original Name : Destinee DeWalt

Gender : Male

Character Name : Claire's Baby

Original Name : Candace Mead

Gender : Male

Character Name : Claire's Baby

Original Name : Lauren Mead

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rocstar

Original Name : Shaun Baker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wipe

Original Name : K. Todd Freeman

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jimmy

Original Name : Deon Sams

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rotor

Original Name : Christopher M. Brown

Gender : Male

Character Name : Eddie

Original Name : Gregg Dandridge

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ace Cop

Original Name : Branscombe Richmond

Gender : Male

Character Name : Deuce Cop

Original Name : Walt Jordan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Myers

Original Name : Todd Allen

Gender : Male

Character Name : Morning Nurse

Original Name : Carole Ita White

Gender : Female

Character Name : Insurance Salesman

Original Name : Basil Wallace

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cathy Fox

Original Name : Georgina Lindsey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Steve Fox

Original Name : Jack Kehler

Gender : Male

Character Name : Amanda

Original Name : Marley Shelton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Woman In Baseball Cap

Original Name : Lynn Salvatori

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bus Driver

Original Name : Jim Morange

Gender : Male

Character Name : Skin

Original Name : Henry Kingi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Scar

Original Name : Steven Keith Davis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Studio Girl

Original Name : Sharon Lee Jones

Gender : Female

Character Name : Ms. Green

Original Name : Mary Ellen Trainor

Gender : Female

Character Name : Watch Robber

Original Name : Gary Carlos Cervantes

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jackson

Original Name : Ben McCreary

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Mencken

Original Name : Jeanne Bates

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mr. Mencken

Original Name : Sam H. Ginsburg

Gender : Male

Character Name : Window Breaking Thug

Original Name : Brett A. Jones

Gender : Male

Character Name : Myers' Partner

Original Name : Paul E. Short

Gender : Male

Character Name : Simon's Friend

Original Name : Willie C. Carpenter

Gender : Male

Character Name : Carlos

Original Name : Antonio Royuela

Gender : Male

Character Name : Carlos' Friend #1

Original Name : Eddie Perez

Gender : Male

Character Name : Carlos' Friend #2

Original Name : Clifton Collins Jr.

Gender : Male

Character Name : Davis' Assistant

Original Name : Hugh Ross

Gender : Male

Character Name : Davis' Assistant

Original Name : Roxanne Kasdan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Woman in Car

Original Name : Cora Lee Day

Gender : Male

Character Name : Woman's Driver

Original Name : John Ashby

Gender : Male

Character Name : Forum Twin #1

Original Name : Jacqueline Alexandra Citron

Gender : Female

Character Name : Forum Twin #2

Original Name : Kristen Amber Citron

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

_**Thought-Provoking Drama with Characters You Care about**_ "Grand Canyon" (1991) is essentially about the 'grand canyon' that exists between the races and the haves & have-nots in America. It starts out powerfully with a middle-aged lawyer named Mack (Kevin Kline) taking an unwise detour in L.A.; the situation turns threatening when a group of thugs harass him, but a tow truck driver comes to his aid (Danny Glover). Thus begins a relationship that positively impacts both of their lives and the those connected to them. One subplot involves Mack's love/lust for women (like any red-blooded male). He and his wife (Mary McDonnell) are starting to experience the empty nest syndrome; he naturally veers toward an affair at work. There's an early scene where the potential "other woman" (Mary-Louise Parker) comes into his office and puts her hand on his. It's a simple yet potent scene. Is it wrong for Mack to have feelings for this woman? Should he risk destroying his marriage by pursuing a more intimate relationship? And, if he does commit adultery, can he still change his mind before it's too late? Will he? That's just one subplot amongst many. Some reviewers feel there are TOO many stories going on. I suggest they stick to lighter fare. Here’s a sampling of themes explored: Miraculous life-saving encounters; white/black relations; the rich/working class/poor divide; homelessness. Why do kids join gangs/become hoodlums? The challenges of a nigh romance-less marriage; the drive to improve one's living standards. Does violence in film escalate violence or is it simply a reflection of society? Does a filmmaker have a moral responsibility to society? Life-changing experiences that aren't so life-changing after all. How many split seconds do you have to make a left turn in downtown traffic? What do you do after miraculously finding/saving an infant? Divine intervention; matchmaking, blind dates and finding Mr. or Ms. "right”; the ripple-effect each person's actions have on others, revealing humanity's significance, which is contrasted by the idea that humanity is inconsequential compared to the Earth & Universe's timeless marvels, like the Grand Canyon itself. The picture obviously bites off a lot, but is well able to chew it. It bespeaks of real life and doesn't come off contrived at all. Take for example the teen's driving lesson: He makes a serious mistake and then pulls over. After his father explains a few things he attempts to start the vehicle which is ALREADY running. We've all done that. Another example would be the filmmaker’s beautiful redhead girlfriend Vanessa (Sarah Trigger): She's calm, happy and pleasant one moment but then suddenly starts crying (obviously provoked by a statement). A rambling and uncomfortable emotional rant ensues. It's real. Another example would be Claire's reaction when her son asks if she and Mack are getting a divorce. Shocked, she replies, "Why would you ask that?! Do we seem like a couple on the verge of divorce?" She KNOWS that her son wouldn't ask such a question unless he sensed there were problems in the marriage on some instinctual level. These are just three minor examples off the top of my head. I've heard some complain that there's no humor. Did we see the same movie? There's actually quite a bit of humor or, at least, amusing and light-hearted moments. (How could there not be with Steve Martin in the cast?). Even though the picture is essentially a serious drama I busted out laughing, snickering or smiling on several occasions. Scanning through the reviews you'll note that "Grand Canyon" is a love it or hate it piece. I love it. The acting is, for the most part, great and you really come to care for the characters; you care about the outcome of each of the story lines. One reviewer commented that "Grand Canyon" is a depressing film; he couldn't be more wrong. Yes, there are some disconcerting story elements, but watch it till the end. Other reviewers criticize Steve Martin playing a filmmaker with a beard. These people need to get a life; Martin was perfect for the role. I appreciate that “Grand Canyon" respects the intelligence of the viewer; it's not dumbed-down, nor is everything spelled out. Some things you have to read in-between-the-lines, others are left to the imagination. It also provokes you to ponder the numerous issues it addresses for days afterward. Few movies have this effect. In fact, there's so much to "Grand Canyon" that you'll get something new from the picture with each viewing. When the movie was originally released a New York Times critic it as the worst movie ever made (Why sure!). First of all, who cares what some moron from the NY Times says? The very fact that he writes for The Times tells you that his artistic judgment shouldn't be taken too seriously. Also, most critics hailed 2004's "Crash" as a masterpiece but it obviously borrowed much from "Grand Canyon”; the difference is that the latter is the better film. Although "Crash" has its merits "Grand Canyon" is more entertaining and actually inspiring rather than downbeat. "Grand Canyon" is a film of the most eminent order; a masterpiece. It runs 2 hours, 14 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: A