Sweet Dreams (1985)

The story of Patsy Cline, the velvet-voiced country music singer who died in a tragic plane crash at the height of her fame.

Director:

Karel Reisz

Writer:

Robert Getchell

Stars:

Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, Ann Wedgeworth

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Lange	...	Patsy Cline
Ed Harris	...	Charlie Dick
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Hilda Hensley
David Clennon	...	Randy Hughes
James Staley	...	Gerald Cline
Gary Basaraba	...	Woodhouse
John Goodman	...	Otis
P.J. Soles	...	Wanda
Terri Gardner	...	Old Singer
Caitlin Kelch	...	Sylvia
Robert L. Dasch	...	John
Courtney Parker	...	Older Julie
Coulton Edwards	...	Baby Randy
Holly Filler	...	Madrine
Bruce Kirby	...	Arthur Godfrey

Storyline

Patsy Cline was the first female solo artist to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Thirty-two years after her untimely death in a plane crash in Tennessee, her "Greatest Hits" album sold over six million copies. Loved by her fans today as much - if not more - than she was at the height of her fame, the life, the loves and most of all the voice of Patsy Cline is legendary. This film tells the story of the passionate, fun-loving, soft-spoken, loud-living life of one of country music's - and one of popular music's - greatest singing stars. This film covers the years 1956 through 1963, from her rise to fame and the top of the charts through TB talent shows and country bars - through her turbulent marriage to Charlie Dick and the demands of touring which would lead to the fatal plane crash.

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Plot Keywords:

american film directed by czech director | american film directed by european director | reference to patsy cline | patsy cline character | singer as protagonist | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Musical

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The town used as Winchester, Virginia is actually Martinsburg, West Virginia (about a half hour away).

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Goofs

The guitar that the singer/MC is using on the "Opry" stage is a Fender acoustic, not available until at least 1966.

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Quotes

Charlie Dick: Hey, I want you to get your coat. I want to drive you some place for a drink. I want us to dance awhile, then I want us to get to know each other a lot better.
Patsy Cline: You want a lot don't you?
Charlie Dick: Yeah I do baby.
Patsy Cline: Well people in hell want ice water - that don't mean they get it.

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Connections

Edited into Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

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Soundtracks

Foolin' 'Round
Written by Harlan Howard and Buck Owens
Performed by Patsy Cline
Published by Central Songs
Courtesy of MCA Records Inc.

User Reviews

sweet and not sour

In one of filmdom's many biopics, Jessica Lange sinks her teeth into the role of country singer Patsy Cline. We see her go from a bored housewife to a national phenomenon over the period of a few short years before tragically getting killed in a plane crash in 1963 (although the movie focuses more on her personal life than on her career). Not surprisingly, Lange plays the role perfectly. Equally good is Ed Harris as Cline's philandering husband Charlie Dick. "Sweet Dreams" is a movie that has something for everyone. Maybe we wonder how many biopics there can be, but that would miss the point. The point is to understand these people's personal struggles and all. And this movie does a very good job showing that. I wonder whether country music biopics will see a resurgence, now that "Walk the Line" has made a splash.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sweet Dreams

Filming Locations:

Winter Street Elementary School, 59 Winter Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,161,284, 14 October 1985

Gross USA:

$9,085,049

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,085,049

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Pictures, Silver Screen Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1