Legendary late, great country singer Johnny Cash gives a typically fine and credible performance as legendary shrewd and redoubtable professional pool player William "The Baron" Addington, who calls it quits and only plays pool for charity because of problems with alcoholism. Addington gets back in the game to serve as a mentor to cocky, but promising newcomer Billy Joe "The Cajun Kid" Stanley (amiable Greg Webb), who's really Addington's son. The pair play in several major league tournaments together. But Billy's cagey, shifty manager Jack Streamer (a terrific Darren McGavin) intervenes. Director Gary Nelson relates the engrossing plot at a steady pace and elicits sturdy acting from a bang-up cast. Cash and Webb have an engaging on-screen chemistry; they receive sound support from Tracy Pollan as the brash, plucky Mary Beth Phillips, June Carter Cash as Addington's sassy ex-wife Dee Dee Stanley, Claude Akins as Addington's loyal pal Harley Medford, and Richard Roundtree as smooth, formidable champion pool player Frosty. Both John Lindley's slick cinematography and Brad Fiedel's melodic, alternately folksy and jazzy score are up to speed. As an added bonus, Cash even sings the cool country theme song. A nice little movie.
Review of The Baron and the Kid
