This tortured examination of the disintegration of a family in the late 1960s marked the debut as a writer-director of actor Sean Penn. Inspired by the Bruce Springsteen song Highway Patrolman, it's a lengthy, rambling and frequently indulgent piece, with the action accompanied at all times by the plaintive twang of acoustic guitars. You get the impression that Penn has plenty of visual ideas but lacks the necessary eye of an editor. Memo to Mr Penn: The word is 'Cut'! The Indian Runner certainly marks him down as a talent to watch in the director's chair, although since then he's only directed The Crossing Guard, and returned largely to acting.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes