Grand Canyon

About Grand Canyon (1991)

Grand Canyon, a film released in 1991, is directed by Lawrence Kasdan. The plot revolves around six residents of Los Angeles whose lives intersect in extraordinary ways. They are all diverse in their ethnic and social backgrounds but they share the common bond of being stuck in a world filled with violence and racial tension.

Making / Production

Written by Lawrence Kasdan and Meg Kasdan, the film was produced by Lawrence and Charles Okun. The Grand Canyon was filmed in the very heart of urban Los Angeles, juxtaposing the cityscapes with the beauty and grandeur of the actual Grand Canyon, featured significantly in the film.

Actors

• Danny Glover played Simon, a confident tow truck driver. His role is pivotal as he helps bring diverse characters together, fostering a sense of unity despite their differences.
• Kevin Kline portrayed Mack, an immigration attorney, caught in the terrifying abyss of an existential crisis. Kline excellently depicted the struggles and redemption of his character.
• Mary McDonnell, as Mack's wife Claire, compellingly portrayed the emotional complexity of a woman grappling with motherhood after finding an abandoned baby.
• Steve Martin played Davis, a producer of violent films, who after confronting violence in real life, takes a transformative turn. Martin's performance excellently balances the humorous with the tragic.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film does not focus on the actual Grand Canyon but uses it as a metaphor to address the spiritual void in modern society.
• Director Lawrence Kasdan also wrote the acclaimed film Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• The script took nearly two years to complete.

Awards

Despite the film not winning an Academy Award, it was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Mary McDonnell was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

Quotes

• Davis: "That's part of your problem: you haven't seen enough movies. All of life's riddles are answered in the movies."
• Mack: "Sure, I worked hard, but we live in a world where good luck falls on people and so does bad."

Music, Soundtrack

The soundtrack composed by James Newton Howard blends the urban soundscapes with the serene music invoking the Grand Canyon, helping to build the film’s atmosphere.