Overview
A poignant exploration of life in Los Angeles, where personal struggles collide with societal divides.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- thoughtful
- humanist
- melancholic
- reflective evening
- social issue film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, humane, and emotionally engaging ensemble portrait of Los Angeles anxieties, while some found its social commentary self-conscious or sentimental.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Simon, Mack, Claire, Dee, Jane, Davis, and Otis occupy connected storylines that reveal different experiences of Los Angeles.
The plot explicitly separates perspectives across a black/white racial divide and contrasts Simon's neighborhood with Mack's privileged world.
Davis is a successful producer whose films are expected to contain a literal and proverbial head-exploding money shot.
Simon aids Mack during a threatening encounter, and their relationship becomes a source of hope amid crime, racial tension, and social fragmentation.
Films like Grand Canyon, and why
Crash
interlocking Los Angeles narratives examining race, class, violence, and civic alienation with a humanist tone
Do the Right Thing
ensemble urban drama about divided communities, racial tension, and moments of unexpected connection
The Ice Storm
warm but serious relationship drama using multiple characters to explore social anxieties and moral responsibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Lawrence Kasdan
- Release Date
- 1991-12-25
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (218)
Cast
- Danny Glover
- Kevin Kline
- Steve Martin
- Mary McDonnell
- Mary-Louise Parker
- Alfre Woodard
- Jeremy Sisto
- Tina Lifford
- Patrick Malone
- Sarah Trigger
Common questions
- What is Grand Canyon about?
- Interwoven lives across a fractured Los Angeles confront racial division, urban violence, marital strain, and the possibility of renewed human connection.
- What is Grand Canyon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Grand Canyon as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Grand Canyon violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Grand Canyon as moderate.
- What did critics think of Grand Canyon?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, humane, and emotionally engaging ensemble portrait of Los Angeles anxieties, while some found its social commentary self-conscious or sentimental.
- Which films are like Grand Canyon?
- Films with a similar feel include Crash, Do the Right Thing, and The Ice Storm.
- How long is Grand Canyon?
- Grand Canyon runs 134 minutes.
