Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)

Disappointing

Though I was a teen in the 80s, I never saw Eddie and the Cruisers until recently. I enjoyed John Cafferty's hit songs from the soundtrack years ago and wanted to like the movie. Sadly, I didn't think much of the movie and doubt I would have even when I was 14 years old at the time of its release. The story is quite unbelievable, particularly toward the end when a series of events revolves around main characters re-visiting a fantastical junkyard that has remained totally undisturbed for decades. The writing is cheesy, the acting is weak, and the characters are paper thin. The film also suffers from major sins as a music-themed movie. The lip syncing by the lead actor is overwrought and unconvincing and Tom Berenger looks ludicrous bopping exaggeratedly behind the piano he's obviously not playing though we're supposed to believe he is. Everything about the movie is merely average and its only likely appeal is nostalgia for those who saw it years ago and associate it with happy 80s memories. June 10, 2008

The fate of the artist

"Eddie and the Cruisers" isn't a lost masterpiece, but it's a solid, thoughtful, enjoyable film about one of the great driving narratives of Western culture: The Artist Ahead Of His (or Her) Time, doomed to be ignored during life, then rediscovered after death. From William Blake to Nick Drake, we've seen this story repeated over & over ... and we'll see it many times again.

Yes, there's a touch of fantasy & wish fulfillment here -- but we're not dealing with a gritty, utterly realistic film. This is really parable & myth, after all. The references to Rimbaud, the quote from Wordsworth early in the film, the stylized look of some of the settings, the rock and roll legends evoked throughout -- it's all quite clear.

In which case, complaints about the music are beside the point. How can any soundtrack writer be told, "OK, we need something as good as Beethoven's 'Ninth Symphony,' or Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue,' or Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks'?" Obviously that's just not possible. The faux-Springsteen songs are strong in their own right, but we should take them as stand-ins for the music that Eddie & Frank actually created, just as in Patricia Rozema's film "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing," glowing panes of framed light represent the magnificent paintings created by one of the characters.

The acting itself is quite good, with Tom Berenger negotiating a rather difficult role as Frank/Word Man: he's the main character, but he often has to stand at the side & simply observe events. He effectively conveys naive uncertainty in flashbacks to his younger days, and a wistful world-weariness as an older man. In fact, he's said that this was one of his favorite roles. Michael Paré makes a fine, brooding, fiery Eddie; singer Helen Schneider is sultry, vulnerable, seeing more than she lets on; and Joe Pantoliano is a slick, raspy-voiced delight. A young Ellen Barkin does what she can with a somewhat underwritten role.

Again, it's not a great film. But it is a very good, honorable & thoroughly entertaining film, with a final scene that still has the power to evoke chills after repeated viewings. You'll have to be open to the sort of story it's telling -- if so, you'll find that it's quite rewarding. Recommended!

May 21, 2008

The editorial review is BS

Who is Tom Keogh and why does Amazon pay him? Eddie and the Cruisers is about invention and striving for excellence. It is about two great minds, Frank and Eddie, coming together to create something new. Eddie sees in Frank a great songwriter and uses his (Eddie's) leadership ability to put the words to music just right. This is a movie about ideas, values and friendship working toward a common goal. Cross your fingers and say 'words and music'. Then sit back and enjoy this wonderful movie. April 10, 2008

Eddie and the Cruisers

I was very satisfied with the price, preoduct condition, and prompt delivery. I would strongly recemend purchasing from Amazon. March 26, 2008

My Second-Favorite Movie Of All Time

A fantasy story about a Jersey bar-band that makes good, but TOO good! Great music by the Cafferty band. Includes "On The Dark Side". After you watch this, watch the sequel. Great fun! December 1, 2007

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