One Trick Pony (1980)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Robert M. Young

Writer:

Paul Simon (writer)

Release Date:

3 October 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Rock 'n' roll will give you some laughs...but it won't do you any favors.

Plot:

Jonah (Paul Simon) is an aging rock star trying to put together a new album in the face of an indifferent record label and a talentless producer. At the same time, he's struggling to save his failing marriage. |

Plot Keywords:

Failing Marriage | Loner | Rock Music | Musician | Falling Star

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Paul Simon	...	Jonah
Blair Brown	...	Marion
Rip Torn	...	Walter Fox
Joan Hackett	...	Lonnie Fox
Allen Garfield	...	Cal van Damp (as Allan Goorvitz)
Mare Winningham	...	Modeena Dandridge
Michael Pearlman	...	Matty Levin
Lou Reed	...	Steve Kunelian
Steve Gadd	...	Danny Duggin
Eric Gale	...	Lee-Andrew Parker
Tony Levin	...	John DiBatista
Richard Tee	...	Clarence Franklin
Harry Shearer	...	Bernie Wepner
Kate Pierson	...	Herself (as The B-52s)
Fred Schneider	...	Himself (as The B-52s)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

During the film's credits, Paul Simon & co. (The Jonah Levin Band) are shown driving through what is ostensibly a highway between Cleveland's airport and The City. The footage is actually Route 22, in Union, New Jersey.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Jonah and Matty practice baseball in the park, the ball is returned to Jonah by someone obviously taller than eight-year-old Matty.

Quotes:

Jonah: Anna Freud came backstage last week -- Anna Freud. She sold us some blow.

Movie Connections:

References "The Love Boat" (1977)

Soundtrack:

Do You Believe In Magic

For fans of Paul Simon's music and Blair Brown

This movie is an okay time-killer, particularly if you like Paul Simon's music and/or you are a fan of Blair Brown. Sam and Dave, the B-52s and Lovin' Spoonful don't hurt either. Joan Hackett does a good job in her role. At the risk of sounding heretical, while I aways admired Paul Simon's songs, I have always thought Art Garfunkel has a better voice. One Trick Pony proves that Art's a better actor as well. Average at best.