More realistic than most 'coming of age' movies, this film shows a boy from a small college town and 3 of his friends taking the first steps into adulthood. Few people experience a magical epiphany and suddenly become adults, as many films would have you believe. It's more often many small steps, made with some thought but not great insight or inspiration. Steps that are often wrong and need to be taken back or redone. For most it's an awkward time and each deals with it a different way.

Dave (Dennis Christopher) has recently graduated from High school in the college town of Bloomington Indiana. There are few decent jobs available and he's not anxious to start working anyway. He also isn't considering college because 'Cutters' don't go to college.

The rich, snobbish college students use the term 'Cutters' when referring to locals. It's used as an insult that refers to the fact that, at one time, most of the towns men had been stone cutters. Those same men are proud to be called 'Cutters'. To them it means they were one of a group whose hard work built the college and other buildings in the town. They take pride in being able to look at the tall building and know they were partly responsible for the town being what it is today. At the same time, they know how outsiders think. Dad (Paul Dooley who played almost the same role in 'Runaway Bride') reminisces "I was proud of my work. And the buildings went up. When they were finished the damnedest thing happened. It was like the buildings were too good for us. Nobody told us that. It just felt uncomfortable, that's all".

But for Dave and his generation, the term is something in between. They all pretend they'd never want to do such hard labor, but Mike eventually admits, "To them, it's just a dirty word. To me, it's just somethin' else I never got a chance to be".

Mike (Dennis Quaid) turns his uncertainties and fears into anger. He blames the college set for his lack of opportunities and direction. He used to be a popular football player but neither his football nor his grades were good enough to get him into college. Every time he sees the college kids, he sees the things he lacks and gets mad. He picks trades insults and picks fights but never gets any closer to deciding what to do with his life.

Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley) tries a few odd jobs, but pride won't allow him to meekly accept orders from a boss who clearly thinks little of him. He wants to marry his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Amy Wright). Since he doesn't have a job, he and Nancy go Dutch on the marriage license fee as he becomes the first in the group to make any decision with lasting effects. But it's not based on any plan. He's doing what he thinks he's supposed to do. He's expected to get a place of his own, get married, and eventually move to Chicago and find a job like his Dad.

And then there's Cyril (Daniel Stern). He HAD a plan, he played basketball and tried to get a college scholarship, though it's certain he wouldn't have gone to Bloomington. He has become very pragmatic about his situation. Others around him have always had low expectations of him. So after loosing the scholarship, he decides to defer to their judgement and lower his own standards. "I was sure I was going to get that scholarship. My dad of course was sure I wasn't. When I didn't, he was real understanding, you know. He loves to do that. He loves to be understanding when I fail."

But the movie is really about Dave. His unique way of handling what seems like an inevitable life of boredom and lack of fulfillment is escapism. He has become a very good cyclist, winning a few local trophies, and now pretends he is Italian. Why Italian? Because the best cyclists in the world are the Italian Cinzano team. So he speaks with a faux Italian accent, sings Italian opera and, to his fathers dismay, shaves his legs because "All the Italians [cyclists] do it". And the Italian team is coming to Bloomington soon to participate in a big race.

But while using his adopted persona, he meets a college girl who he immediately falls for. Since he has already spoken to her with his accent, he can't now explain that he's just a slightly delusional "Cutter', so he adds lies upon lies trying to impress her.

Robyn Douglass plays Katherine, and whom Dave calls 'Katarina' in his best imitation Italian. She is a bit impressed by the romantic aspects of a foreign exchange student who talks non-stop about the beauties of his home country and who sings her a serenade below her dorm room window. Her 'Big Man on Campus' boyfriend is NOT impressed. Cyril, who was helping Dave by playing guitar, gets caught and beat up.

The school administration tries to reduce the tension by inviting the local to enter a team in this year's 'Little 500' bike race. Dave and his friends become the team and the race becomes a battleground where the Cutters attempt to prove that they are NOT inferior to the college boys. It's hard to tell whom they are trying to convince, but it's an inspiring race nevertheless.

While all 4 boys turned in fine performances, all the best lines in the movie go to Dad. Many fans wonder why Paul Dooley wasn't nominated for a best actor Oscar for this role. Barbara Barrie who played Mom was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The director, Peter Yates, was nominated for Best Director and Best Picture. Patrick Williams was nominated for Best Music. And Steve Tesich WON the Oscar for Best Screenplay. But Paul Dooley is the character most fans remember and quote.

He can be funny:
I know I-tey food when I hear it! It's all them "eenie" foods... zucchini... and linguini... and fettuccine. I want some American food, dammit! I want French fries!

Pragmatic:
Dad: You guys still go swimmin' in the quarries?
Dave: Sure.
Dad: So, the only thing you got to show for my 20 years of work is the holes we left behind?

Or sarcastic:
Dave: You mean we might be a father?
Dad: No. I might be a father. And your mom might be a mother. And YOU might be a brother. See, that way I keep it all in the family.

But he uses his quick wit to try to help himself cope with a son who seems to have lost his mind. He wants to help Dave but he doesn't know what to tell him. In quite moments, he succeeds in explaining why he's not only proud to have been a Cutter, but actually misses the work since he lost that job. He shows he has a big heart and that he loves and support his son, even when he has no clue what his son is doing. But most of the time he's just frustrated trying to figure out what’s going on and why things have changed.

This is an inspirational story with realistic character development and it still manages to maintain your interest throughout. Who would think you'd like watching a bunch of late teenage boys sitting on a rock and talking about nothing in general. Maybe this is where Seinfeld got the inspiration for his show? Shot entirely in Bloomington, it doesn't have the slick polished scenes of most other films, but it fits and supports the story.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening