The Thing Called Love (1993)

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writer (WGA):

Carol Heikkinen (written by)

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Romance | Music

Tagline:

Stand By Your Dream

Plot:

A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.

Plot Keywords:

Newcomer | Singer | Tennessee | Country Music | Love

Cast

River Phoenix	...	James Wright
Samantha Mathis	...	Miranda Presley
Dermot Mulroney	...	Kyle Davidson
Sandra Bullock	...	Linda Lue Linden
K.T. Oslin	...	Lucy
Anthony Clark	...	Billy
Webb Wilder	...	Ned
Earl Poole Ball	...	Floyd
Deborah Allen	...	Herself
Jimmie Dale Gilmore	...	Himself
Katy Moffatt	...	Herself
Jo-El Sonnier	...	Himself
Pam Tillis	...	Herself
Kevin Welch	...	Himself
Trisha Yearwood	...	Herself

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language. (2005 director's cut)

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Finland:S | Argentina:13 | Spain:T | USA:PG-13 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Sandra Bullock co-wrote and performed the song "Heaven Knocking On My Door" in this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When James and Kyle fight in the parking lot of the Bluebird after Linda Lou wins 4th prize in the Miss Nashville pageant, Kyle falls. Linda Lou is on top of Kyle in one shot, but in the next, she is behind him, squatting down.

Quotes:

Linda Lue Linden: Hey Kyle Davidson!
Kyle Davidson: Hey Linda Lue, is that your pretty face I'm seein'?
Linda Lue Linden: Well it ain't nobody's butt.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Our Friend River (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

HEY, PORTER

Great film

This movie is amusing, touching AND captivating the whole way through. River Phoenix' performance, from his excellent singing voice to his southern accent, made me believe he was an up and coming country western singer. Phoenix becomes the insecure yet arrogant James Wright and I believe he played this character perfectly even with the obvious personal struggles in his life. River and Samantha Mathis have palpable chemistry that makes you believe James and Miranda can save their difficult relationship. All the actors in this film did a good job and the story line is enjoyable and unique. There is not one wasted moment of screen time as every scene is filled with continuity and story-driven dialogue.