Originally attracted to this movie as I am a James Franco fan, but his role lasted about 20 minutes and then he abruptly disappeared, leaving his family and the viewer twisting in the wind as to why or where he went. For me, I spent most of the duration of the film pondering that question. Good acting by the principal stars but slow moving and a little too full of symbolism for my taste.
16 Reviews
So Dads Run Off
westsideschl31 March 2019
If you want to watch life in a small nowhere town go nowhere as a few fathers lose interest & move out leaving wives & kids to not do much but mope around then this should entertain you. No subtitles so you know dialogue is not important. Why isn't it the mom's who run off?
all the dads are leaving...
ksf-228 January 2021
Constantly moving cameras. hopefully they made enough cash from this film to buy a tripod or a dolly. if you get seasick easily, don't watch this one. Smalley (James Franco) walks out on his family in a small, dying desert town after "the plant" closes down and there's no work. and he's not the only one. more dads are giving up and leaving town. so the kids turn into juvenile delinquents. lots of pretty sunsets. and pictures of the sun and moon. should have been more story and less pictures of the moon. it's a story about leaving. do people who leave ever come back? directed by Bruce Cheung, who seems to have worked with Franco on SO many projects. novel by Dean Bakopoulos. looks like it was filmed around the edges of the salton sea. abandoned houses. ruins. mud. dead fish. it's pretty dark. it's okay.
Social realist film on finding life in the middle of nowhere
joebloggscity8 November 2019
This is a dull movie, but is honest about it. Follows the life of some youngsters abandoned by their father. They live in the American desert towns where there is little to do and little life except that which you can make.
It's low budget and shakey cam, but the real crux is some fine acting by the mostly young crew. Beyond that there's nothing there. So much more can have been said and done. There is hope in everyone and you can take if that happens or not.
It's a snapshot on certain lives. I just think there was more and better to say.
It's low budget and shakey cam, but the real crux is some fine acting by the mostly young crew. Beyond that there's nothing there. So much more can have been said and done. There is hope in everyone and you can take if that happens or not.
It's a snapshot on certain lives. I just think there was more and better to say.
Peels the layer off a difficult subject
Lovekrafft2 February 2019
Similar movie: Gummo. Highly recommended.
Divorce and family breakdown is a significant issue facing many today, yet a certain narrative has dominated how it is treated. Any movie that tackles broken homes deserves merit. As a male who at seventeen saw his parents divorce in the first wave (mid-80s) and seeing it spread and poison, my attitude has long shifted away from the standard narrative of the deadbeat dad loser. Nothing could be further from the truth and what divorce does is make the child eventually turn his sights on what societal forces enable and encourage such a destructive event.
Every viewpoint has to be considered.
Divorce and family breakdown is a significant issue facing many today, yet a certain narrative has dominated how it is treated. Any movie that tackles broken homes deserves merit. As a male who at seventeen saw his parents divorce in the first wave (mid-80s) and seeing it spread and poison, my attitude has long shifted away from the standard narrative of the deadbeat dad loser. Nothing could be further from the truth and what divorce does is make the child eventually turn his sights on what societal forces enable and encourage such a destructive event.
Every viewpoint has to be considered.
Sci fi ? Not even.
SexyActorsJunkie17 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I was misled by the byline of this movie to think it was actually science fiction. That's the only reason I hung on and watched the entire thing, thinking that at some point, the still-missing sci-fi angle was going to come into play ? It never did. So they pulled a fast one in the marketing by claiming there is any sci-fi element to this movie, there is not. Yes, you will feel a bit had after sitting through this thing.
This movie is simply about bleak living in a town where there's nothing to aspire to, apparently aimless and uncreative types who can't think their way out of their life situations live there, and low empathy fathers who just bolt and leave town without even a good-bye to their loved ones drive the supposed mystery to this story. There's no mystery. The dads are smart enough to leave this dull hellhole behind, but selfish and cruel enough to not explain themselves to anybody, leaving behind clueless and angry families they deserted.
There's a pretentious narration over the story from the protagonist, played blandly by Jeff Wahlberg, whose character Mickey is apparently a teenager of some undetermined age but looks like such a baby face that you have no idea what his character's age is supposed to be and could be even just a 14 year old. Who knows ? That's what makes the sex scene between him and a local girl actually uncomfortable to watch.
Ultimately, this is a drawn out, aimless and meaningless slice of small town life on the edge of society depiction. Not much of interest happens at all, just erosion.
The only thing at all I liked about this film was discovering Henry Hopper in a minor but tantalizing role. His character Ray's interactions with character Eva are the only scenes worth watching in this entire film. Even so, the story between them goes nowhere and like the rest of this movie, winds up unsatisfying. But I'll be watching for Henry Hopper in future movies. Never knew Dennis Hopper had an actor son, and Henry HAS charisma, good looks and talent ! Rashida Jones, who plays Eva, is always good anyways and does what she can with a minor role in this film.
I don't recommend sitting through this movie unless you want a catalyst to plunging into angst and depression one afternoon when you have nothing better to do. If you don't have anything better to do, really, get something better to do. If you already have angst and depression, maybe comparing yourself to the aimless lives of these characters will possibly make you feel better about your own life and yourself.
This movie is simply about bleak living in a town where there's nothing to aspire to, apparently aimless and uncreative types who can't think their way out of their life situations live there, and low empathy fathers who just bolt and leave town without even a good-bye to their loved ones drive the supposed mystery to this story. There's no mystery. The dads are smart enough to leave this dull hellhole behind, but selfish and cruel enough to not explain themselves to anybody, leaving behind clueless and angry families they deserted.
There's a pretentious narration over the story from the protagonist, played blandly by Jeff Wahlberg, whose character Mickey is apparently a teenager of some undetermined age but looks like such a baby face that you have no idea what his character's age is supposed to be and could be even just a 14 year old. Who knows ? That's what makes the sex scene between him and a local girl actually uncomfortable to watch.
Ultimately, this is a drawn out, aimless and meaningless slice of small town life on the edge of society depiction. Not much of interest happens at all, just erosion.
The only thing at all I liked about this film was discovering Henry Hopper in a minor but tantalizing role. His character Ray's interactions with character Eva are the only scenes worth watching in this entire film. Even so, the story between them goes nowhere and like the rest of this movie, winds up unsatisfying. But I'll be watching for Henry Hopper in future movies. Never knew Dennis Hopper had an actor son, and Henry HAS charisma, good looks and talent ! Rashida Jones, who plays Eva, is always good anyways and does what she can with a minor role in this film.
I don't recommend sitting through this movie unless you want a catalyst to plunging into angst and depression one afternoon when you have nothing better to do. If you don't have anything better to do, really, get something better to do. If you already have angst and depression, maybe comparing yourself to the aimless lives of these characters will possibly make you feel better about your own life and yourself.
Another Walk Away
BravoTwoXRay25 April 2019
Bleak, dull, pointless
johnhsmith-000566 January 2023
Take a bleak, slow movie. Set it in a broken down, rural, desert town so the scenery isn't interesting to look at. Add a lead character has questionable morals who just isn't interesting or sympathetic. Then add a title and description that hint this will be some kind of sci-fi mystery. Altogether I cam confused how someone thought this was a winning formula for a film. I suppose someone felt it has a powerful social message. But the only message was that it's bad if a parent wanders off and doesn't return. And even that message wasn't clear. I try to see the good in every film, but I couldn't find anything in this film that would convince me to watch it a second time.
A jumbled boring mess from start to finish
mooveephantom5 March 2023
As per usual, an art film that's all fluff and pretentious pseudo storytelling than actual substance. The problem from the beginning is the extremely lazy, unfocused script and the "beating the dead horse" directing by Bruce Cheung. The drama itself is just not intriguing enough and the piecemeal and patchy editing doesn't help it's central storyline of fathers abandoning their families. The main lead Mickey, is just way too tiresome and one note to be made into a feature length picture. Franco and Jones (the only power players) themselves seem super bored with their roles. Nothing worthwhile happens. Even the bits of good engagement of the kids are ruined by the film's own trappings and inability to sell it to the audience. This could have been a 20 minute short film.
Realistic Dystopia
brendaniforth20 January 2019
The previous reviewer was right - this film deserves an audience and should be showing at more than one out of the way theater in a major metropolitan area.
It's beautifully shot with interesting camera angles and extreme close-ups of its fresh young stars. It's set in a poor area that has been further ravaged by some natural or man-made disaster. While what has happened isn't spelled out, what is clear and poignantly portrayed is the effect poverty and hopelessness have on families and the young people left behind. Even though the landscape is bleak and the future uncertain, the movie still leaves you with a sense of hope.
This is not a science fiction movie
justahunch-705496 April 2024
The title sounds like a sci-fi movie. The poster for the film looks like a sci-fi movie. The early part of the film sorta seems like a sci-fi movie. However, this is not a sci-fi movie. It is a movie whose premise makes absolutely no sense. If you can get past the early nonsensical setup of numerous fathers all just simply walking out on their wives and/or children in the same teeny town around the same time you might find yourself involved with the plight of those abandoned, particularly the children. They all learn to live their new lives and eventually the fathers return, though there is no indication as to how long they have been gone, only to find themselves shunned because of what they did. They all have reasons, but why they all just simply walked away around the same time is never explained. Perhaps it is just bad filmmaking that presents its setup incorrectly?! Beyond the structure being a mess, there are some touching scenes among these abandoned young people with the focal point well played by Jeff Wahlberg. Rashida Jones does pretty well too as a lonely wife. It has a gritty realistic look to it, but it is a film that is pretty much ruined by either poor writing, poor direction or poor editing or perhaps all three.
I really really enjoyed this...
juanmuscle6 February 2019
I thought it very cool for James Franco to make an appearance in this, and a nice appearance it was; this is very indie, very imaginative and spell binding, I felt quite bad for everyone living without a father figure , it really resonates with single families and the ending really impaled the exclamation mark to what it takes to become a very strong and wonderful parent. Very interesting.. based on a book I wonder if it was as good as this movie, the kid thespian were very impressive, lets see what they will do in the near future...
Sad reality
paulONeil6819 January 2020
One review said it was a bad intreptaion that woman cannot raise children without a man.
I think that thought is pathetic.
What I do know is that the economic climate was desperate and the men left and didnt care about thier wives and children.
The movie is dispare No closure Abandonment It's a slow but gripping reality of what is actually out there and makes you remember to be grateful of what you have.
I enjoyed this movie and I ope future viewers see it for what it is.
I think that thought is pathetic.
What I do know is that the economic climate was desperate and the men left and didnt care about thier wives and children.
The movie is dispare No closure Abandonment It's a slow but gripping reality of what is actually out there and makes you remember to be grateful of what you have.
I enjoyed this movie and I ope future viewers see it for what it is.
A thought provoking film
Tangerine-Talent15 December 2018
Don't Come Back from the Moon (2019) - 5.9
Bonnell73 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Act 1 - 5.8
Act 2 - 5.6
Act 3 - 6.4
Film shows the importance of what a father means to a family and how the absence of one can destroy a family and leave a feeling of helplessness and pain
Mickey choosing to be there for his son shows that you can break the cycle of abandonment and do your best for your family
Shows the weight that some of these fathers feel and how they can feel worthless for not supporting their family the way they know they should be
Tonally the film works and the score is solid too
Films main problem is that it is far too boring for a short run time
An overall decent film that I wouldn't recommend as it rarely rises to the occasion to capture the audience
Abandoned small town living and we see a family
Many fathers leave their families in this town, little to no work here
The two boys father leaves them too at a gas station
All these kids growing up without fathers that are just leaving for some unknown reason, kids say they went to the moon because it happens so often
Teenage son a Mickey must step up for his brother rand mother
Kids drinking and wandering around this town just having fun, Mickey meets a girl
Kids have no consequences in this fatherless world they are living in
Kids swear they won't go to the moon, leave this place
The kids of the town become the men and have to grow up fast
Mickey spends more time with and has sex with the girl
The girls father shows back up and she kicks him out, the dad says he messed up but she doesn't care
Girl let's her father back into her life while Mickey gets rid of all his dads things
Girl is going to Nebraska with her father where he found work
Feels like a whole lot of nothing is happening in this film, thinks it has something to say but I'm not hearing it
Kids feel trapped in this place too, nothing for them here
Mickey doesn't say bye to her as he's mad she's leaving him
Looks like Mickey ended up looking for her but was too late, this hurts her
Mickey goes to the bar and gets drunk and hooks up with the bartender there
There is a solid tone and vibe to the film
Mickey sees his mom kissing the guy she cut the hair of and got the job at the grocery store
Mickey confronts the guy who kissed his mom and his friend comes and beats up the guy really bad
I guess the film shows how an absentee father leads to stagnation and helplessness
Also starts a cycle that leads to more abandonment and the issues that come with that
The girl Mickey hooked up with from the bar tells him she's pregnant
Now Mickey has a kid on the way and he says he is leaving too, just like all the other fathers, he wants to find Sonya, his girlfriend
This breaks his little brothers heart
80's video game score over pieces of the film
Voiceover throughout the film gives insight into the characters thoughts, works well
Mickey runs into his uncle Johnny at a bar, tries to explain why the fathers left, all feel overwhelmed and useless in some way, says he would've stayed if he had a second chance
Mickey sees his dad outside of the bar and follows his truck with his car but we Mickey end up in the middle of the road and his father not in sight
Mickey turns the car around and we see him holding what we can assume is his own son back in the abandoned town
.
Act 2 - 5.6
Act 3 - 6.4
Film shows the importance of what a father means to a family and how the absence of one can destroy a family and leave a feeling of helplessness and pain
Mickey choosing to be there for his son shows that you can break the cycle of abandonment and do your best for your family
Shows the weight that some of these fathers feel and how they can feel worthless for not supporting their family the way they know they should be
Tonally the film works and the score is solid too
Films main problem is that it is far too boring for a short run time
An overall decent film that I wouldn't recommend as it rarely rises to the occasion to capture the audience
Abandoned small town living and we see a family
Many fathers leave their families in this town, little to no work here
The two boys father leaves them too at a gas station
All these kids growing up without fathers that are just leaving for some unknown reason, kids say they went to the moon because it happens so often
Teenage son a Mickey must step up for his brother rand mother
Kids drinking and wandering around this town just having fun, Mickey meets a girl
Kids have no consequences in this fatherless world they are living in
Kids swear they won't go to the moon, leave this place
The kids of the town become the men and have to grow up fast
Mickey spends more time with and has sex with the girl
The girls father shows back up and she kicks him out, the dad says he messed up but she doesn't care
Girl let's her father back into her life while Mickey gets rid of all his dads things
Girl is going to Nebraska with her father where he found work
Feels like a whole lot of nothing is happening in this film, thinks it has something to say but I'm not hearing it
Kids feel trapped in this place too, nothing for them here
Mickey doesn't say bye to her as he's mad she's leaving him
Looks like Mickey ended up looking for her but was too late, this hurts her
Mickey goes to the bar and gets drunk and hooks up with the bartender there
There is a solid tone and vibe to the film
Mickey sees his mom kissing the guy she cut the hair of and got the job at the grocery store
Mickey confronts the guy who kissed his mom and his friend comes and beats up the guy really bad
I guess the film shows how an absentee father leads to stagnation and helplessness
Also starts a cycle that leads to more abandonment and the issues that come with that
The girl Mickey hooked up with from the bar tells him she's pregnant
Now Mickey has a kid on the way and he says he is leaving too, just like all the other fathers, he wants to find Sonya, his girlfriend
This breaks his little brothers heart
80's video game score over pieces of the film
Voiceover throughout the film gives insight into the characters thoughts, works well
Mickey runs into his uncle Johnny at a bar, tries to explain why the fathers left, all feel overwhelmed and useless in some way, says he would've stayed if he had a second chance
Mickey sees his dad outside of the bar and follows his truck with his car but we Mickey end up in the middle of the road and his father not in sight
Mickey turns the car around and we see him holding what we can assume is his own son back in the abandoned town
.
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