A recent college graduate, an alluring debutante from Alabama (Sherilyn Fenn) finds herself reconsidering her impending marriage when she encounters a charismatic carnival worker (Richard Tyson). Louise Fletcher portrays the inflexible mother figure, Kristy McNichol embodies a resourceful truck driver, and Burl Ives takes on the role of a seasoned sheriff. This drama/romance aligns with the Southern Gothic genre. Distinct from many films in this category, “Two Moon Junction” (1988) incorporates softcore nudity and sexual content. If that’s something you dislike, it might be best to avoid it. I believe that's the primary reason some people dismiss this film as "sexploitation trash" or "a romance novel adapted for the screen.” I wouldn’t know firsthand, because my wife once suggested I read one—she said it had fantasy elements—but I couldn’t make it past the first chapter; there was just too much sentimental interaction. If you can accept that aspect of the film or go along with it, this is an enjoyable Southern Gothic piece featuring a solid script and worthwhile social commentary (I don't understand why some people claim it feels like it was written by a child, I didn’t find that to be true). Certain scenes possess a mesmerizing quality, reminiscent of “Poison Ivy” (1992), but without the sadness. Tyson, in his role as the carnival worker, resembles a more rugged Val Kilmer, though with darker and longer hair. Fenn is certainly beautiful and shown nude in the final act, although her performance is overshadowed by McNichol at the peak of her physical appearance. Kristy is simply stunning and worth seeing for that alone. The writing is well-crafted and contains several memorable moments, such as the profound connection expressed through unspoken understanding and the rundown mansion where April (Fenn) and her friends used to gather during their teenage years, which they referred to as “our place.” There’s also the sheriff, who is beholden to the matriarch, and his respectful but firm interactions with Perry (Tyson), along with Perry's affection for his dog. Furthermore, the observations about the disparity between Southern high society and those considered less fortunate are perceptive. Should April acknowledge this divide and accept a secure future or follow her heart? Either choice carries risk. The film has a running time of 1 hour, 44 minutes and was filmed in Los Angeles County, California. The production team made an admirable effort to make Southern California appear like Alabama, but it’s noticeable in certain scenes. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB