My American Cousin (1985)

Director:

Sandy Wilson

Writer:

Sandy Wilson (written by)

Release Date:

7 March 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

"He was a charming runaway in a big, fancy car who dazzled me completely..."

Plot:

Twelve years old Sandy lives with her parents and two younger sisters on an idyllic ranch in Canada...

Plot Keywords:

Autobiographical | Family | Teen | 1950s | Coming Of Age

Awards:

7 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Margaret Langrick	...	Sandy Wilcox
John Wildman	...	Butch Walker
Richard Donat	...	Major Wilcox
Jane Mortifee	...	Kitty Wilcox
T.J. Scott	...	Lenny McPhee
Camille Henderson	...	Shirley Darling
Darsi Bailey	...	Thelma
Allison Hale	...	Lizzie
Samantha Jocelyn	...	Sue
Babs Chula	...	Dolly Walker
Terrence Moore	...	Al Walker (as Terence Moore)
Brent Severson	...	Johnny Wilcox
Brian Hagel	...	Danny Wilcox
Carter Dunham	...	Eddie Wilcox
Julie Nevlud	...	Ruth Wilcox

Also Known As:

Mon cousin américain (Canada: French title) (TV title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Borderline

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At the Dominion Day Dance, set in 1959, the band plays the Drifters' hit "Save The Last Dance For Me", even though this song wasn't initially released until August, 1960.

Quotes:

Sandy Wilcox: Dear diary... nothing ever happens.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Some Enchanted Evening

Sweet and humorous

I saw this movie in 1988 because Gene Siskel said that Hollywood needed to make movies like this. (the other title he mentioned was Sweet Adeline). I saw it with my wife while we were dating, and just saw it again, 16 years later. I liked it as much this time as before, although my emotions are filtered through some nostalgia for our dating.

But since dating and nostalgia are what the movie is about, it fits in well.

Funny story of an American boy, about 16, who's run away from home and struggling to be cool amongst Canadians in a a small British Columbia town, circa 1959. The lead character, his Canadian cousin, who is almost 13, is perfectly acted by Margaret Langrick, capturing the angst and adventure of puberty. She has a crush on her cousin, as do all the other girls.

It is a little campy, but doesn't have the ironic detachment of most camp. There's loads of irony here, and tons of humor, but there is a lot of affection (and attachment)for the characters that made it, for me, touching.

Our five children liked it, too.