It's 1963 and four young Marines are spending their last night stateside in San Francisco before shipping out to Vietnam. The night's festivities include a dogfight: the Marine that finds the ugliest "date" and brings her to a party being held later that night wins. Flippant, coarse, and handsome Eddie Birdlace (River Phoenix) isn't having any luck finding an appropriate date until he meets Rose (Lili Taylor), a shy ugly duckling waitress who worships folksingers and hopes to one day join their ranks. Charmed by the young Marine, Rose agrees to attend the party with him, unaware that she's a candidate in the cruel contest. When Rose inadvertently finds out why she's been invited, Birdlace's conscience gets the better of him, and he is determined to make amends by taking her out for a night on the town. As they wander the streets of San Francisco, this unlikely pair begins to fall in love. Phoenix and Taylor deliver touching performances in this Nancy Savoca (TRUE LOVE, HOUSEHOLD SAINTS) film, capturing the anxiety, awkwardness, wonder, and tenderness of budding love.

Coarse, handsome Marine Eddie Birdlace (River Phoenix) and shy, ugly ducking pacifist Rose (Lili Taylor) are an unlikely couple. It is the night before he is shipping out to Vietnam, and Birdlace has invited Rose to accompany him to a dogfight--a cruel contest in which the Marine who brings the ugliest date wins. When Rose inadvertently discovers the truth, Birdlace--intrigued by this naive, good-hearted waitress who worships folksingers--does his best to make it up to her with results that neither expects.

Theatrical release (USA): October 1991.

Shown at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 1991.

Released theatrically in New York City September 13, 1991.

Filmed in Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA.

Prior to shooting, Phoenix, Panebianco, Whitfield, and Clark attended a simulated boot camp run by a retired Marine Corps captain in order to prepare to portray Marines in the film.

The film marked Brendan (credited as Brendon) Fraser's feature film debut.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Snap Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Surround - English
Dolby Surround - French

River Phoenix: American actor, STAND BY ME, MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO
Lili Taylor: American Actress
Kenneth Utt: 
Brendan Fraser: Star, JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE NIGHT (2006)
Mitchell Whitfield: American Actor
Anthony Clark: Actor
Holly Near: Actress/Slaughterhouse 5
Richard Panebianco: Actor/"China Girl"

Nancy Savoca: American Director/Screenwriter

"...[Phoenix delivers] a performance of blunt intensity..."
"...Given that Taylor and Phoenix are two of the most capable and emotionally open young actors around, the blossoming of their relationship is very much of a treat to watch, heart-tugging and unexpectedly funny..."
"...Both performances and Nancy Savoca's direction are admirably tough..."