Blaze (2018)

A reimagining of the life and times of Blaze Foley, the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas Outlaw Music movement.

Director:

Ethan Hawke

Writers:

Ethan Hawke, Sybil Rosen

Stars:

Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Charlie Sexton

4 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Dickey	...	Blaze Foley
Alia Shawkat	...	Sybil
Charlie Sexton	...	Townes Van Zandt
Josh Hamilton	...	Zee
Kris Kristofferson	...	Edwin Fuller
Richard Linklater	...	Oilman
Sam Rockwell	...	Oilman
Steve Zahn	...	Oilman
Gurf Morlix	...	Self
Ethan Hawke	...	Radio DJ
Alynda Segarra	...	Marsha (as Alynda Lee Segarra)
Sybil Rosen	...	Mrs. Rosen
Nancy Roppolo	...	Outhouse Waitress 1
David Hinson	...	Outhouse Cook
Aaron Augustus	...	Bus Boy

Storyline

Inspired by the life of Blaze Foley, the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas outlaw music movement that spawned the likes of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. The film weaves together three different periods of time, braiding re-imagined versions of Blaze's past, present and future. The different strands explore his love affair with Sybil Rosen; his last, dark night on earth; and the impact of his songs and his death had on his fans, friends, and foes. The braided storyline terminates in a bittersweet ending that acknowledges Blaze's profound highs and lows, as well as the impressions he made on the people who shared his journey.

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Plot Keywords:

country music | musician | songwriter | one word title | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

Based on a True Texas Love Story

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some sexual content and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sybil Rosen plays her own mother in the film.

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Goofs

There is a mirrored sign for Icehouse beer in the Austin Outhouse bar. Ice beer in as a category and Icehouse itself did not come on the US market until 1993, four years after Foley's death.

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Connections

Featured in Conan: Ethan Hawke/Daniel Sloss/Ninja Sex Party (2018)

User Reviews

A bigger star is born!

As far as modern movie musicals of 2018 go, this is the best one of the year. It's quite slow at times but never lags, because of its great editing, jumping between different temporal narratives.

We are told the true life story of folk singer Blaze Foley, who is played magnificently by Ben Dickey. Blaze is as charming as he is obnoxious, but sings like an angel who's had one whisky and a pack of smokes too many, and at times he let's us glance at his emotional core which makes one forgive him all his many, many character flaws.

A good film worth watching. Recommended.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blaze

Filming Locations:

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$44,050, 19 August 2018

Gross USA:

$704,955

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$704,955

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ansgar Media, Cinetic Media, Orwo Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1