Songwriter (1984)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writer:

Bud Shrake (writer)

Release Date:

14 October 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

Willie and Kris on the road - sharing music...raising hell!

Plot:

Doc Jenkins is a singer/songwriter who tries to leave his singer/songwriter roots to be a music "mogul"...

Plot Keywords:

Songwriter

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Willie Nelson	...	Doc Jenkins
Kris Kristofferson	...	Blackie Buck
Melinda Dillon	...	Honey Carder
Rip Torn	...	Dino McLeish
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Gilda
Mickey Raphael	...	Arly
Rhonda Dotson	...	Corkie
Richard C. Sarafian	...	Rodeo Rocky
Robert Gould	...	Ralph
Sage Parker	...	Pattie McLeish
Shannon Wilcox	...	Anita
Jeff MacKay	...	Hogan
Gailard Sartain	...	Mulreaux
Stephen Bruton	...	Sam / Roarers Band
Glen Clark	...	Paul / Roarers Band

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

TriStar Pictures

Willie Nelson, songwriter AND actor

Willie Nelson turns in a surprisingly effective performance as Doc Jenkins, a travelling singer/songwriter whose dreams of greater success (primarily in financial terms) collide with his lack of business sense in Alan Rudolph's entertaining Songwriter. It's up to his friends, fellow performer, Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) and rising star, Gilda (Lesley Ann Warren) to help him out of a bad deal made with Rodeo Rocky, played by Richard C. Sarafian.

I was delighted to see how effortlessly Nelson threw himself into the role of Doc. Did his inspiration come from the real life financial troubles he faced a while back? You decide. It's just a pleasure to see him using that golden voice and interacting with old pal, Kristofferson. I also enjoyed the trip that Rudolph takes us on the road and behind the stage of the country music scene.

Setbacks include the discovery of Gilda. Although possessed with a fine voice, I had trouble believing that she had enough talent to sweep Blackie and Doc off their feet. Showing a newcomer as "gifted" in film is always tough. The voice has to be right and the songs interesting. I just don't think it worked here. I also didn't agree with Rocky's character who came off as a little too slimy, although we are talking about the record industry.

I enjoyed it overall. The story keeps you watching and Nelson with his guitar is worth the price of the rental alone. Watching this songwriter was a pleasure.