Of Mice and Men
Two migrant ranch hands cling to a dream of independence as economic hardship and human vulnerability close in around them.
Overview
A poignant tale of friendship and dreams set against the backdrop of the American countryside.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- somber
- intimate
- compassionate
- quiet evening
- literary adaptation night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's restrained fidelity to Steinbeck, strong ensemble performances, and carefully realized rural production, while some found it lacking urgency.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
George, Lennie, and the other ranch hands depend on temporary agricultural work while struggling to imagine financial independence.
George repeatedly guides and shields Lennie while preserving their shared dream of owning land.
The imagined farm gives George and Lennie purpose, but the ranch's violence and instability continually undermine it.
Critics specifically praised the set design and lovely burnished colors contrasting with the earlier screen adaptation.
Films like Of Mice and Men, and why
The Grapes of Wrath
shared great depression setting, itinerant laborers, friendship, and tragic social realism
The Last Picture Show
shared rural american setting, economic hardship, moral conflict, and restrained tragic drama
The Shawshank Redemption
shared literary adaptation, working-class characters, friendship, and emotionally devastating realism
Places in the Heart
shared depression-era hardship, vulnerable outsiders, and compassionate but tragic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Gary Sinise
- Release Date
- 1992-09-16
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (741)
Cast
- John Malkovich
- Gary Sinise
- Ray Walston
- Casey Siemaszko
- Sherilyn Fenn
- John Terry
- Richard Riehle
- Alexis Arquette
- Joe Morton
- Noble Willingham
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Of Mice and Men about?
- Two migrant ranch hands cling to a dream of independence as economic hardship and human vulnerability close in around them.
- What is Of Mice and Men like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Of Mice and Men as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Of Mice and Men violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Of Mice and Men as mild.
- What did critics think of Of Mice and Men?
- Critics broadly praised the film's restrained fidelity to Steinbeck, strong ensemble performances, and carefully realized rural production, while some found it lacking urgency.
- Which films are like Of Mice and Men?
- Films with a similar feel include The Grapes of Wrath, The Last Picture Show, The Shawshank Redemption, and Places in the Heart.
- How long is Of Mice and Men?
- Of Mice and Men runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Of Mice and Men?
- In United States, Of Mice and Men streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus.
