Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Martin Davidson

Writers:

Martin Davidson (screenplay) &
Arlene Davidson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 September 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Music

Tagline:

Rebel. Rocker. Lover. Idol. Vanished.

Plot:

Maggie Foley is a reporter who's interviewing the surviving members of a band who's music is being revived...

Plot Keywords:

Reporter | Missing Person | Rock 'n' Roll | Fictional Band | Automobile Accident

Cast

Tom Berenger	...	Frank Ridgeway
Michael Paré	...	Eddie Wilson
Joe Pantoliano	...	Doc Robbins
Matthew Laurance	...	Sal Amato
Helen Schneider	...	Joann Carlino
David Wilson	...	Kenny Hopkins
Michael 'Tunes' Antunes	...	Wendell Newton
Ellen Barkin	...	Maggie Foley
Kenny Vance	...	Lew Elson
John Stockwell	...	Keith Livingston
Joe Cates	...	Lois
Barry Sand	...	Barry Siegel
Vebe Borge	...	Gerry Rivers
Howard Johnson	...	Wendell's Replacement
Joey Balin	...	Eddie's Replacement

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:12 | Sweden:7 | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | USA:PG (certificate #26935) | UK:PG | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Atco, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Aurora

Trivia:

At the beginning of the movie, as Frank is pulling into the parking lot of his school, he hears the end of one of The Cruisers songs and the DJ announcing their music has been gaining in popularity. The announcers voice is legendary New York DJ Scott Muni. He also announces the call letters WNEW-FM, the station where he was a broadcaster for almost 20 years. However, it is highly unlikely that WNEW-FM could have been received that far south in New Jersey which also could be considered the "G-word".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Eddie ends the song, "Wild Summer Nights", we see him take his guitar off and place it to the side. But in the next shot, showing Eddie from the rear, the guitar is back on, as he waves to the crowd.

Quotes:

Joann Carlino: There were so many things I wanted say to him, so many things I wanted to ask. But, Eddie and I, we had a deal, we never talked about he future; we thought the present was so fine, why ruin it by planning ahead. But, as Eddie drove off, I knew, I knew it then, it wasn't going to be any future.

Movie Connections:

References Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960)

Soundtrack:

Down on My Knees

More Here Than Meets The Eyes Or Ears In One Viewing

Disregard what the big time movie reviewers may say! Despite a poor sound track, there is much more to this film than is obvious within one viewing. It took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, I loved it more with each viewing. The underlying premise of the film, that there was, indeed, a definitive crossover point between the innocent early rock and roll music of the 1950's and the deeper coming of age sounds of the mid to late sixties is quite real. And the charismatic title character "Eddie" has sensed this change in the wind, but is unable to convey his vision to those around him. Yes, there are a little too many flashback scenes for my taste, but all in all the film had something to say that deserves to be heard.