Songwriter (1984)

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson as a pair of hard-living Texans in this funny original and very real look at the country music business. Doc Jenkins (Nelson) may be one of C&W s most beloved stars but his private life is a wreck. He s split up with his longtime partner Blackie Buck (Kristofferson) a country outlaw with a heart of gold. Doc s singer-wife Honey Carder (Melinda Dillon) has thrown him out of the house. And now he s gotten involved with a sleazy music manager Rodeo Rocky (Richard C. Sarafian) who s out to steal his material. Teaming up with Blackie Doc takes drastic measures to win back his family and reclaim his songs. It s Willie and Kris on the road again sharing music and raising hell!System Requirements:Running Time: 93 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 043396042636 Manufacturer No: 04263 Product Description

An Overlooked Gem

Perhaps unwarranted negative expectations about the cast (Willie and Kris) and the supposed subject matter of this clever and winning film (country music) can explain why so few movie lovers - who would surely recognize its merit - appear to have seen it. Far from being just another southwestern guy buddy picture, it's in fact a sharp, satiric comedy about rascally but talented artists, exploited by greedy entrepreneurs and managers who deserve and finally get witty comeuppances.
Nelson and Kristofferson are both strongly engaging actors here, while Leslie Ann Warren as a drunk chanteuse who becomes a celebrity and Rip Torn as a shameless promoter but good family man have never been better.
The film has a skillful screenplay by Bud Shrake which succeeds in the difficult job of balancing wit and commendable sentiment, so that the film's narrative and dialogue, at once funny and moving, are never corny.
Directing this first-rate comic script, the elsewhere inconsistent Alan Rudolph has here one of his finest achievements. January 13, 2007

One of the Greatest Willie Movies Ever!!!

Bless my soul, this movie is finally coming to DVD!!! This has to be one of the greatest Willie Nelson movies ever (this and Barbarosa). It is smartly written and has a certain chemistry about it. Everything just fits. It is a wonderful gem of a movie that I'm glad will no longer be one of the moritorium VHS titles. If you're a Willie fan, it's a must own. If you're somewhat curious, check this movie out. You won't be disappointed. May 20, 2004

+1/2. Cute Willie Nelson vs. Nashville caper film

A fast-paced, fluffy film about the "outlaw country" lifestyle. Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson play Doc Jenkins and Blackie Buck, two grizzled road warriors who will only face life on their own terms, come what may. Early in the film, Doc gives up life on the road and tries to make it big as a record producer in Nashville; his evil, unscrupulous business partner royally screws him in the contract negotiations, and Willie spends the rest of the film trying to get out from under his thumb. For his part, when onscreen Kristofferson mostly just smiles and acts carefree and high on life. Leslie Ann Warren opens up a gaping black hole of talentlessness and tunelessness, improbably cast as the "next big thing" country star that Doc and Blackie pin their hopes on -- it's all very well and fine, except that the gal can't sing her way out of a paper bag. Regardless, this is a fun film, a nice chance to see Willie, in particular, be completely charming. Some fun songs, too, though at times a bit heavy on the '80s rock influences. January 11, 2004

We love it!

My wife and I like to open a few stubbies of beer and settle back to watch/listen to Willie and Kris and the cast having a lot of fun. Unfortunately we have to hire it, and always have our eyes open for a copy. The script, music, acting appeals to us. Definitely one our our favourite films. November 7, 2003

fun movie - great soundtrack

I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I enjoyed the soundtrack even more. Songwriter, Under the Gun, etc... now I just need to find a CD copy of the soundtrack (or maybe a DVD copy of the movie?). March 7, 2002

More reviews at Amazon.com ...