A Movie a Month

This film is a hidden treasure. It is a simple story, two artists, played brilliantly by Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, in the country music business of the '80s fight with crooked promoters and changing tides in music. The execution of this simple story by director Alan Rudolph is flawless and creates a timeless film that overflows with rich characterizations and outstandingly deep and true country music.

The supporting characters are all wonderfully written and brilliantly played by Lesley Ann-Warren as Gilda and up and coming yet naive singer who is both starstruck and desires to be a star, Richard C. Sarafrian as Rodeo Rocky a sleazy mobster cum record producer who wants to crush Nelson's character, and the treasure of a character actor that is Rip Torn in a rugged and funny turn as a snake of a concert promoter Dino Mcleish. Melinda Dillon gives a warm performance as Honey Carder, the ex-wife of Willie Nelson's Doc Jenkins and Kristofferson is at his rugged best as Blackie Buck, a good ol' boy country legend who is starting to see the end of the road when it comes to his stardom.The film, however, belongs to Willie Nelson. His portrayal of a former superstar struggling to stay relevant in a country music world that is changing for the worse is perfect and Nelson gives the best and most rounded and deeply felt performance of his career. His presence, as well as his heartfelt and profoundly moving songs he wrote for the soundtrack, are the weight that anchors the film.

Songwriter plays like a junior version of Robert Altman's brilliant Nashville and that is a high compliment. Director Rudolph was a frequent collaborator of Altman's and it shows in his skillful handling of a multi-charactered story such as this one. It would make a great double feature along with Altman's Nashville.

In today's world of artificial and manufactured country music, the soudtrack is a welcome pleasure of true country full of original compositions by both Kristofferson and Nelson. I challenge anyone not to be deeply moved during the scene where Willie's Doc plays a song for his ex wife Honey entitled "Who'll Buy My Memories". It is a quietly powerful moment and speaks volumes of the nature of their relationship.

This is a film to be rediscovered and appreciated by film lovers and lovers of real country music alike.