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The Prince of Pennsylvania
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Wikipedia article
'The Prince of Pennsylvania' is a 1988 comedic drama written and directed by Ron Nyswaner. It stars Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia and Amy Madigan.
Plot
Rupert Marshetta (Keanu Reeves) has a mind of his own, he's frustrated with his parents, especially his dad (Fred Ward), and doesn't fit in with other youth. He is also in love with an older woman, Carla (Amy Madigan). One day the dad tells Rupert he sees himself as the king of Pennsylvania, his wife as the queen, and Rupert as the prince who will inherit his kingdom. He shows Rupert an old trailer and asks him if he sells the land, what he would do with the money. Increasingly frustrated with how life is going, Rupert schemes with Carla to kidnap the father to get money to enjoy a future together. He is held in the old trailer. Meanwhile, Rupert discovers the land has already been sold and the money is nowhere to be found. The dad is then taken to the mine where he works and held near a portable toilet. Rupert eventually thinks the money has been hidden in the toilet, which is chained closed. He prepares dynamite to blow open the toilet. Mine rescue workers and police arrive on scene.
Cast
* Fred Ward as Gary Marshetta
* Keanu Reeves as Rupert Marshetta
* Bonnie Bedelia as Pam Marshetta
* Amy Madigan as Carla Headlee
* Jay O. Sanders as Trooper Joe
* Jeff Hayenga as Jack Sike
* Tracey Ellis as Lois Sike
* Joseph De Lisi as Roger Marshetta
* Don Brockett as Tony Minetta
Production
Thomas Newman wrote the music for the film. It was filmed in Pittsburgh.
The scenes for the high school dance were filmed at Chartiers Houston High School in Houston, PA.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 14% based on reviews from 7 critics.
Roger Ebert gave it 1.5 out of 4.
Reference list
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