Vision Quest 1985

In this poignant drama, a young man's quest for independence becomes a powerful symbol of self-discovery as he navigates the complexities of Canada's Indigenous history and its modern-day reverberations.

In this poignant drama, a young man's quest for independence becomes a powerful symbol of self-discovery as he navigates the complexities of Canada's Indigenous history and its modern-day reverberations.

Does Vision Quest have end credit scenes?

No!

Vision Quest does not have end credit scenes.

Ratings


Metacritic

55

Metascore

6.8

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

64

%

User Score

Movie Quiz


Vision Quest Quiz: Test your knowledge about the 1985 film Vision Quest, focusing on Louden's wrestling journey and relationships.

What high school sport is Louden Swain determined to excel in?

Plot Summary


Here’s the rephrased section:

In Spokane, Washington, 18-year-old Louden Swain (Matthew Modine) is hell-bent on making his mark at Thompson High School’s wrestling team. Coach (Charles Hallahan) warns him about the risks of competing at a lower weight class, but after an impressive spar with teammate Kuch (Michael Schoeffling), Louden becomes obsessed with shedding even more pounds to take on rival Shute, who weighs in at twenty-pounds lighter. With his sights set on this daunting challenge, Louden confides in Kuch that his ultimate goal is to go toe-to-toe with the formidable Shute. Kuch, however, has other plans and decides to blow the whistle on Louden’s secret ambition, spinning a yarn about his “vision quest” to find his place within the circle.

Later, Louden pays a visit to his father, Larry (Ronny Cox), at the local car dealership where he works, only to arrive in the midst of a heated confrontation between a salesman and Carla (Linda Fiorentino), a streetwise New Jersey native who’s been fleeced by a shady deal. Larry intervenes on Carla’s behalf, decking the salesman with a well-placed punch, before sending Louden to take her out for a burger at a nearby diner. Over burgers and coffee, Carla opens up about her plans to drive cross-country to San Francisco, California, where she hopes to pursue her dreams as an artist. Smitten with the feisty woman, Louden asks his father if Carla can crash at their place until her car is fixed, and to everyone’s surprise, she agrees.

As Louden redoubles his training efforts, Carla gradually lowers her defenses, sharing her aspirations with him and opening up about her hopes and fears. Meanwhile, Louden sizes up the competition when he catches a glimpse of Shute (Frank Jasper) lugging a massive log up a staircase at Hoover High School - a testament to his intense preparation.

On the side, Louden juggles part-time work as a room-service attendant at a local hotel with his wrestling ambitions. He confides in his coworkers, Elmo (J.C. Quinn), about his crush on Carla, but she remains elusive. A chance encounter at a bar (where pop icon Madonna is performing her hit single “Crazy For You”) sees Louden asked to dance by Carla - only for him to be left feeling disappointed when he discovers she’s on a double date with a local couple.

As Louden’s exhaustion from dehydration finally subsides, he confides in his English teacher, Mr. Tanneran (Harold Sylvester), about the depth of his feelings for Carla, a revelation that prompts concern for his well-being. A subsequent visit from Carla at wrestling practice sparks commotion among his teammates, but her words of comparison to a stepbrother serve as a jarring wake-up call for Louden’s aspirations. Meanwhile, his coach expresses alarm over the boy’s rigorous training regime, prompting a stern warning against further weight loss, only to be later impressed by Louden’s impressive feat on the climbing peg board, allowing him to continue his demanding routine.

Later, during an impromptu arm wrestling session with Elmo in the hotel kitchen, Louden’s nosebleed crisis raises doubts about his ability to persevere. A chance encounter with Carla on a date with Mr. Tanneran at a local restaurant serves as a painful reminder of her affection for another. The ensuing confrontation with Carla prompts a candid display of frustration from Louden, who then seeks solace in an uninvited bedroom rendezvous, met with her forgiveness and understanding.

A visit to Kuch’s home reveals the harsh reality of his friend’s troubled life at the hands of his abusive and alcoholic father (James Gammon), prompting Louden to share his own experiences of abandonment by his mother following their farm’s foreclosure. Kuch ultimately confesses to fabricating his Native-American heritage, a revelation that adds depth to their friendship.

Carla’s attendance at a wrestling match serves as a testament to her unwavering support for Louden, but his subsequent nosebleed forces him to forfeit the match. Shute’s taunts and intimidation attempts serve as a catalyst for Carla to take Louden out for coffee, where he asks her to remain in town. As they part ways, she seals their relationship with a kiss.

As Louden’s nosebleeds persist, his father insists on a break from training, mandating a road trip visit to his grandfather. Carla offers to join him on the journey, and during a camping excursion, Louden opens up about his virgin status, only for Carla to reveal her platonic relationship with Tanneran. The next day, they share their first intimate moment. With this newfound intimacy comes introspection from Louden regarding his motivations for besting Shute, but Carla’s encouragement prompts him to confront his rival head-on.

As Louden stepped back into his life after a prolonged absence, he was met with an unsettling discovery: Carla, the constant presence that had anchored his world, was nowhere to be found. The news sent him reeling, leaving him struggling to come to terms with her sudden departure. His emotional turmoil threatened to derail his carefully laid plans, and it seemed that fate would conspire against him once again, as he nearly missed the weigh-in for his highly anticipated showdown with Shute. However, a Herculean effort saw Louden arrive just in time, only to learn that he had hit his target weight of 168 pounds - a testament to his perseverance.

The day of reckoning finally arrived, and as Louden prepared to face off against Shute, Carla appeared out of the blue, her apologetic expression a poignant reminder of the pain she had caused. With unshakeable resolve, she revealed that her decision to leave was rooted in her perception that she was a liability - a confession that served only to strengthen Louden’s resolve. As he took his place in the locker room, Carla’s words of encouragement resonated deep within him, imbuing him with an unwavering determination.

The air was electric as Louden’s friends rallied around him, their fervent cheers echoing through the corridors as he faced off against Shute. The tension was palpable as the two opponents clashed in a test of strength and willpower. Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, Louden’s coach intervened, delivering a stirring pep talk that proved to be the catalyst for his triumphant resurgence. In the final moments, a sudden nosebleed threatened to derail his momentum, but Louden refused to yield. With a fierce cry, he emerged victorious, basking in the adoration of the crowd as they hailed his indomitable spirit.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.