Hard to Hold (1984)

Details the efforts of a pop-rock star (James Roberts / Rick Springfield) to win the love of a woman he meets in a car accident. None of the usual gambits work on this woman, who has never ... See full summary »

Director:

Larry Peerce

Writers:

Thomas Hedley Jr. (story) (as Tom Hedley), Richard Rothstein (story)

Stars:

Rick Springfield, Janet Eilber, Patti Hansen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rick Springfield	...	James Roberts
Janet Eilber	...	Diana Lawson
Patti Hansen	...	Nicky Nides
Albert Salmi	...	Johnny Lawson
Gregory Itzin	...	Owen
Peter Van Norden	...	Casserole
Bill Mumy	...	The James Roberts Band - Keyboard
Tony Fox Sales	...	The James Roberts Band - Guitar
Mike Baird	...	The James Roberts Band - Drums
Robert Popwell	...	The James Roberts Band - Bass (as Robert 'Pops' Popwell)
Tracy Brooks Swope	...	Toby
Heather Haase	...	Cal Mussetter (as Heather Devore-Haase)
Carole Tru Foster	...	Mrs. Mussetter
Garry Goodrow	...	Maitre d'
Frank Ronzio	...	Flower Vendor

Storyline

Details the efforts of a pop-rock star (James Roberts / Rick Springfield) to win the love of a woman he meets in a car accident. None of the usual gambits work on this woman, who has never heard of him. Complications arise involving the ex-girlfriend Nicky, who is still in his band. Lots of Springfield tunes help the plot along.

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Plot Keywords:

switchblade comb | automobile accident | airport terminal | love triangle | falling in love | 

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Taglines:

Love is hard to find, when the whole world is watching.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Forever One

Filming Locations:

Fairmont Hotel - 950 Mason Street, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Concert scenes were filmed before a Jefferson Starship concert. Mike Baird also wears a Jefferson Starship t-shirt in one scene.

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Goofs

When Jamie sends flowers to Diana (at around 12 mins), they are pink and red, but when his road guy comes back with the refused flowers, they are yellow.

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Quotes

Diana Lawson: [trying to wake up Jamie and get him to leave after sleeping with him] James... time for you to go!
James Roberts: [waking up sleepily] What? Are you serious? I can't believe you're doing this...
Diana Lawson: Oh, and you've never asked anyone to leave, right?
James Roberts: We just made love!
Diana Lawson: No we didn't... we just had sex!

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Connections

Referenced in Hell (1984)

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Soundtracks

Love Somebody
Performed by Rick Springfield

User Reviews

It's a shame Rick wasn't given more to work with

This movie could have been better but because of the limited nature of the story line I think that people didn't get the chance to see what a good actor Rick really is.

The story to me seemed to be half done in that it couldn't decide whether to be a comedy or a drama. And I just couldn't feel the chemistry between his character Jamy and the love interest Diana (Janet Eilber) While I think that Patti Hansen's character of Niki Nides got unfortunately left in the background, and left under developed due to the material each one had been given to work with (or the lack of it).

The soundtrack for this movie had some of Rick's best works on it written by him. No small feat and it also had some other really standout musicians on it (Peter Gabriel, Graham Parker, and Nona Hendryx) And the real shame in this is that the movie was so poorly done in the wriitng, directing, and some of the other character actors involved it managed to somehow sink the soundtrack where by unfortunately and VERY unfairly sealing Rick's possible fate as a washed up teen idol. Which is NOT the title that a man of his talent deserves How sad!