i first encounter arthur penn four friend late one night on hbo . have never hear of it and i expect very little and but watch because i be interested in see what a creation by a teaming of penn and screenwriter steve tesich would be like . for the next two hour or so and i sit mesmerize and watch this incredible teaming of talent and the story they weave . a semi autobiographical tale of a young immigrant to america grow up amidst the turbulence of the 1960s and four friend follow the story of danilo and an eastern european immigrant ( the brilliant craig wasson ) and from his arrival in the united state through a decade that change the american landscape . accompany danilo on his journey be his friend georgia ( the radiant jodi thelan and in a role that sadly and she have never have the opportunity to equal ) and tom ( jim metzler ) and david ( michael huddleston ) . four friend cover way too much territory for me to attempt to explain it here and but if you haven not see this film and i urge you to find a copy ( it just be release on dvd ) and watch it . you would not be disappoint . tesich script be wonderfully poignant  at time funny and at time incredibly sad and but always fascinating and honest . penn directs with a sure hand and and an obvious love for the period and the people whose life be follow . the cast be uniformly superb . this film should have make a major star out of wasson who be truly one of this country most wasted talent . jodi thelan and not your standard brainless hollywood sexpot and heat up the screen in a performance that make the audience fall in love with her character as easily a the character in the film . metzler and huddleston subtle performance could easily be overlook in the shadow of their co star and but they be excellent and help anchor the film . also superb be miklos simon and elizabeth lawrence a danilo parent and as well a reed birney and lois smith . i have not be without a copy of four friend since the day after i first saw it on hbo those many year ago . it have be and remain one of my all time favorite film for more than 20 year now . i can not recommend it enough and feel and if you give it a chance and you will feel the same way .