Woodyanders

24 May 2012

One of Clint Eastwoods most underrated films

Clint Eastwood, looking drawn, rumpled and weathered, takes a radical,courageous departure from his usual reliably stalwart tough guy personain this gently moving, defiantly unheroic and very low-key seriocomic30's Depression-era set drama as Red Stovall, a boorish, feckless,dissolute, alcoholic drifter, failed would-be country-and-westernsinger/songwriter and general all-around worthless, ill-tempered andirresponsible rapscallion with an unfortunate knack for getting intotrouble, messing things up and making life hell for everyone who getsclose to him. Slowly dying from tuberculosis, Red makes a lengthy,arduous pilgrimage from Oklahoma to Tennesse to make his dream ofperforming at the legendary Grand Ole Opry come true, taking hisfoolishly awestruck nephew Whit (nicely played by Clint's then14-year-old son Kyle) and his frisky grandfather (a superb JohnMcIntire) along with him. During their eventful odyssey Whit breaks Redout of jail after Red is arrested by drawling good ol' boy sheriffJerry Hardin for stealing chickens, Red takes Whit to a whorehouse sothe boy can lose his virginity, and the group has colorful encounterswith an obnoxious, conniving teenage girl (a perfectly irritating AlexaKenin) who tries to dupe Red into believing he impregnated her, grubbymechanic Tracey Walter, venal highway patrolman Tim Thomerson, andmean, untrustworthy bar owner Barry Corbin prior to Red arriving inNashville for his do-or-die audition, only to erupt into a coughing fitin front of the hard-nosed talent scout (a marvelous cameo by JohnCarpenter movie regular Charles Cyphers) while in the middle of beltingout the wonderfully regretful and reflective titular song. Eastwood's subtle direction doesn't in any way force the wry humor ordelicately heart-breaking sentiment found in Clancy Carlile's folksy,quietly observant script, allowing the story's considerable poignancyto stem naturally from the characters and the experiences they have.Eastwood furthermore delivers an excellent and convincing performanceas Red, an atypical Eastwood lead who's initially quite unappealing andonly becomes endearing in the picture's tragic closing sequences inwhich Red's deep-seated yearning to belatedly realize his potential andsubsequently be somebody makes itself touchingly apparent. The rest ofthe cast, which also includes Verna Bloom and Matt Clark as Red'stolerant, long-suffering relatives, are every bit as fine.The elegant, lyrical cinematography by Bruce Surtees gives the film amisty, lived-in look that's a beguiling blend of warm heartfeltnostalgia (Eastwood was born in 1930 and partially grew up during theGreat Depression; he traveled about the country with his itinerantlaborer father during this troubled time) and scrappy downcastauthenticity. Noted country-and-western producer Snuff Garrett was themusic supervisor for the stand-out soundtrack; such famous and reveredsinging stars as Ray Price, Porter Wagner, Frizzell and West, bluessinger Linda Hopkins, and especially Marty Robbins have telling bitparts -- Robbins, who died shortly before the movie openedtheatrically, has a lovely moment as a back-up session musician whoassumes lead vocal chores when Red becomes too weak and sickly tofinish the song himself. Eastwood sings a few numbers with a frayed,raspy, worn-out baritone -- it's a hoarse, yet affecting croak whichbespeaks countless years of hard living and heavy drinking with abracingly matter-of-fact directness. Why, "Honkytonk Man" even comescomplete with a provocative philosophical message: Sometimes it's thepeople you expect the least from who teach us the most about life.Unjustly vilified by most critics and ignored by audiences when itfirst came out, this tender little gem deserves to be rediscovered asone of Clint Eastwood's most surprising and adventurous as well asthoughtful and underrated change-of-pace cinematic excursions that hehas ever made to date.

24 May 2012

Most Country Music Stars Cant Sing Either!!!

This is yet another wonderful offerring by Clint Eastwood. In this movie Clint plays Red, an aspiring guitarist and singer who dreams of performing in Memphis. We see Red's deterioration through Tuberculosis as the movie progresses. His final cry to a lost love is more believable than anything I have seen or read by that so called "Master Of Vulnerable Sentimental Nostalgia" Tennessee Williams.I give this movie 5 stars because Mr. Eastwood can't sing which means he has something in common with most Country Music Stars today.

24 May 2012

Eastwood Sings Country.

Eastwood play uncle Red, a drifter trying to get to the Grand Ole Opry. Along for the ride is Eastwoods son Klye.

Lechuguilla

23 May 2012

Heading For The Promise Land

Set in Depression era Oklahoma, this film tells the story of a dirtpoor, alcoholic singer named Red Stovall (Clint Eastwood), who headsout for Nashville, in hopes of making it big as a country singer. Thestory begins on a dilapidated farm composed mostly of dust, where Red'ssister hesitatingly allows her son Whit (Kyle Eastwood) to go with Redto Nashville. The kid's Grandpa (John McIntire) also wants to go, toreturn to his native Tennessee. The film's beginning is dreary anddepressing, but wonderfully realistic of the dust bowl days of the1930s.Much of the plot takes place on the road, as the three travelersencounter an assortment of characters and problems along the way. Themost important character they meet is a young girl named Marlene (thelate Alexa Kenin), who yearns to be a country singer. It's one of manyplot contrivances, but at least this contrivance offers some humor,especially when Marlene ... "sings". Other plot contrivances include ajailbreak, an angry bull, an aborted robbery, and an incident involvinga chicken coop.If the film's weakness is excess contrivances, the film's strength isthe portrayal of Red as an interestingly complex character. He coughs alot, a symptom of tuberculosis. And the TB is getting worse. Thequestion is ... will Red be able to reach the promise land before thedisease affects his ability to sing? And, in a long monologue aimed atWhit, Red talks about his long-ago love affair with Mary Sims.The film's acting is credible, if not outstanding. Kyle Eastwood does anice job as Whit. The film also features cameos by several then-currentcountry singers. At the end, there's some sad real-life irony as MartyRobbins helps Red."Honkytonk Man" has some good atmosphere. Arguably, the best segment isat the Top Hat Club on Beale Street in Memphis, where the great LindaHopkins belts out a blues number. If the film's writer had ditched someof those hokey "on the road" contrivances, and focused the plot more insmoky old bar rooms with low light levels and mournful music, the filmwould have been a lot better. As is, "Honkytonk Man" is still worth alook, if for no other reason than to see a low-key character study, incontrast to the brash and gaudy big ticket films of that cinematic era,like "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" and "Star Wars".

23 May 2012

Excellent Depression-Era Depiction.

I like Clint Eastwood movies and last night I watched "Honkytonk Man." It's a big change of pace for Eastwood, that's for certain. He plays a loser among losers in depression-era America and a wannabe country singer headed for Nashville and the big chance of a Grand Ol' Opry appearance. He's with his nephew (played ably by his son). Although billed as a comedy, it's really a rather dreary story and there aren't any winners. I think it might be best viewed as a period piece and the movie does a rather good job of depicting people and their environments in the Great American Depression. Most of the movie looks like it was filmed in Nevada rather than in the route from Oklahoma to Nashville, and the modern stripes on some of the roads are a dead giveaway that it's just a movie and that someone was not careful enough with the little details.In playing a country singer, Eastwood sings his own songs and my advice would be not to give up his day job. It's a rather good cast and I'm wondering how they could find such a dreary, beat-down group of people, but they fit the depression era setting perfectly. Kudos to the makeup people! Make no mistake, this is a good movie. It's not one of Eastwood's best movies, but is well worth watching especially for the depression era depiction.Gary Peterson

Dennis Schwartz

22 May 2012

Sweet and heartfelt.

Janet Maslin

21 May 2012

The film comes across sympathetically but unconvincingly, as an attempt by a well-established movie tough guy to reveal his tender side.

Ryan Hillman

20 May 2012

An interesting film

This film is an interesting musical/drama film starring Clint Eastwood.If I were to give my opinion on this film in one sentence, it would bethat: "if you don't like Clint Eastwood, you won't like this film." Iam an Eastwood fan from way back and I probably am being a bitsympathetic towards it. I thoroughly enjoyed this film however that maybe because of Clint.I enjoyed the storyline of a man suffering from tuberculosis who knowshe has not long to live. Particularly how he decides to show his nephewinto the world. The overall plot was OK however there were a few weakscenes, particularly the whore house. (If that scene was removed fromthe film, I would probably give it an 8).The film score "Honkytonk man" was awesome, particularly my favouriteactor singing. (I like it so much I even put it on my Ipod).Summing up this film is a must see for Clint Eastwood fans! It won'tdisappoint you. If you aren't a Clint Eastwood fan, you may not find itas good.7/10

19 May 2012

Clint went too far...

Let me say, right off the bat...Clint Eastwood is one of my top 3 favorite actors (Pacino and DeNiro are the other 2). You just can't beat the Dirty Harry movies! After a few successful Dirty Harry films, Clint decided to try comedy country music-tinged movies in the form of "Every Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can"--and struck gold. I also enjoy those two movies for what they are. But then I guess he figured he could do no wrong--lol--and thought, "Well, I'd like to make a film about a country singer, and I CAN BE THE SINGER!" OK, that's crossing the line...Clint's singing voice sounds too much like his speaking voice--too whispery. His singing just plain doesn't cut it, sorry. He looks the part--looks a lot like pictures of the legendary Hank Williams--but he's not much of a singer. I know he's a musician, and I think it might be that he actually plays his piano parts in the movie (not sure, but some of his "piano acting" looked pretty real), kind of doubt he did his own guitar playing. But anyway, I know he is quite the music buff, and the songs in the movie are pretty good...not great, but good.Some non-musical aspects of the movie are lacking, too. I thought the stowaway girl was a fairly expendable character--she was mildly funny, but I don't think her character added much to the plot. The movie was just weak, overall. Kind of funny in some parts, but overall corny and cheesy. The cop scenes were dumb, too.So I can just hear the suits at Warner Bros. chewing Clint out after making this movie..."OK, Clint, you're mojo is wearing off on these folksy comedies...it's time for another Dirty Harry, movie...OK??"--haha. And lo and behold, one year later...Sudden Impact! With the all-time greatest movie catchphrase..."Go ahead, make my day!" Now THAT'S Clint Eastwood in top form! :-)So I consider Honky Tonk Man one of Clint's career low points. There are much better movies like this one from that time period...Urban Cowboy, The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, and Honeysuckle Rose come to mind. I recommend those way over Honky Tonk Man.

edwagreen

19 May 2012

Honkytonk Man-Clint Goes Country Western

Country singer Clint Eastwood and his real life son, who portrays hisnephew, go from Oklahoma and the dust bowl to Tennessee so that Clintcan sing up a storm at the Grand Ole Opera.Anyone see the resemblance in this film with "Midnight Cowboy?" Bothmajor characters are trying to get somewhere to fulfill a dream whiledying of tuberculosis.The two guys are caught in this coming of age film for the nephew. Thenephew part should have been made older since in certain scenes the boylooks just that- a young lad.The adventures they are caught in speak for the times they live in.Clint is teaching his nephew how to be a hustler and the boy is a quicklearner.As time ran out for Ratso in "Midnight Cowboy," the end approaches forClint just as he records some music. The boy and his new found ladylove head off to the sunset, that is, California, the place where theboy's family has moved to. Will he join them? After all, after hisadventures, he is no longer a boy now.

17 May 2012

Great Movie

This review is from: Honkytonk Man [VHS] (VHS Tape) This is a change of pace for Mr Eastwood, but it is a good change. This is a good story and I am very impressed at Mr Eastwood's singing in the movie. Some parts might seem to be rather "cheesy", but Honky Tonk Man has remained a favorite for my entire family for years. The only downside is that if you purchase the soundtrack, there are other people singing the songs rather than Mr Eastwood . . . bad idea!

dbdumonteil

16 May 2012

Anti hero.

It took a lot of nerve in the early eighties,in the days ofRocky,Indiana Jones and "fame" to portray such a human wreck.Eastwood'scharacter recalls Hank Williams,one of the few country singers whosesongs experimented tragedy ("I'll never get out of this world alive").The difference lies in the fact that the singer here will remain anobscure artist.A road movie,it features an interesting boy character who learns theharsh realities of life.In the short space of a couple of days,he willhave experimented love (first in a brothel,then probably later with thegirl they met along the road) and death (he'll have to cope with aburial).The young female "singer" they -reluctantly-take with themprovides the movie with the comic relief it does need:you should hearher sing "My bonnie" in a shrill voice.The ballads Eastwood sings are moving and tuneful(I don't know if he isdubbed for them,but anyway it's made with taste and respect for theaudience).The audition is the highlight of the movie,Eastwood seems tosing as if it were a matter of life and death(and it is anyway).Theactor/director avoids pathos and melodrama.Once again,it was a veryrisky move to play such a character at a time when success story wasthe golden rule.The movie was bound to be a flop,but it deserves to berestored to favor now.

Alan Evans

16 May 2012

Makes the characters come to life.

As soon as I saw this movie I knew that the critics wouldn't like it.The characters are too real and don't have issues like creating greatart. Instead they are all slightly offbeat in an ordinary sort of way.What appealed to me was how they survived in the Depression. There is amental toughness in the characters that I couldn't help but admire.They don't have any sophistication but above all they come across asvery real.The film has a real sensitivity and shows the ups and downs of ordinarypeople.For me it was a real winner.

jamesbond

16 May 2012

A true gem

This film is one of Eastwood´s most compelling and strikes you right at theheart. It tells us a story with such a warmth and compassion about a themeas old as America itself. It is about a man and his love for his nephew, hismusic and his his desire to make a name for himself before his TB´ll end itall. Though Clint´s voice isn´t the best it does however strengthen ourunderstanding of the motivation of a man that is running against time in asetting that is both harsh and unforgiving. The movie´s depiction of thedepression is outstanding and the songs are stupendous. Watch for MartyRobbins who also sings half the theme song. All in all an outstanding movie that will stay in your heart for a long, long time...

milo-25

15 May 2012

Great Eastwood film

One of Clint Eastwood's unusual films. Red Stoval played by Eastwood isstricken with TB and makes one last try to make it on the Grand Ole Opry.Kyle Eastwood (Clint's son) plays the role of Whit.The songs played are very soothing to the ear and the movie is verytragic.A good movie overall.

14 May 2012

The Eastwood Team

I enjoyed the film very much over all.The acting was well done,which showed the skill of the Director in bring out the talent of each individual actor. I am not sure if the singing and guitar playing of Mr Eastwood was actually done by him or a professional country Western musician. I do think Marty Robbins contributed a great deal to the ending and perhaps it was in some part his sing and playing that inhanced Mr Eastwood in his partI did wish that more scenes could have involved the radio stations of that error but that was not any detraction from the picture.I am sure it is difficult for a parent to capture the attention of a son or daughter in a work setting for long periods of time. The very fact of how this film turned out is of special significance to the sucess of the relationship between father and son. Well done gentlemen!

Bolesroor

13 May 2012

Why?

"Honkytonk Man" is like a dust sandwich... it's like beingsucker-punched by a theme-park cowboy in Pioneer Town and lying on theground while he pours Luke-warm Dr. Pepper on your face... it's likehaving to listen to a toothless old man with a guitar ramble on aboutdays gone by, telling bold-faced lies and forgetting the lyrics topopular songs...Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little, but not by much. ClintEastwood stars in and directs this coma-paced country/western daydreamwithout any sense of plot, or urgency, or tension. Or humor.Clint plays Red Stovall, a country singer stricken with tuberculosis,except as usual, Clint is really just playing Clint, only this time hehas a guitar. The movie floats from one vague encounter to anotherwithout any highs or lows or emotional significance. Clint plays a badass, then a balladeer, then a good ol' boy, then a bandit, without everconnecting any of the dots. The movie looks like it's stitched togetherfrom deleted scenes from Clint's other movies. That's not a compliment.The movie is a long, dry, musty road trip through the Depresson-Eradust bowl. And guess what?!? Grandpa's coming along for the ride! (Thatshould liven things up.) I can't remember any movie ever seeming moreLONELY... none of the actors elicit any kind of emotional response.Verna Bloom pops up to alert us that she's still lactating in hermid-forties, and Alexa Kenin is the bangable pubescent we'd all love tofind in the trunk of our car.Other than that there's nothing going on here. I can't imagine whatdrove Clint to make this film, or how he could possibly justify its twohour-plus runtime. I'd prefer the sucker punch and Dr. Pepper.GRADE: D+

12 May 2012

Eastwood tries to sing country

In the early 1980's, Clint Eastwood tried a number of different characters. He had his ups and downs, and HONKEYTONK MAN is definately a down. Based on a novel, the movie takes place in the 1930's with Eastwood playing Red Stoval, an aging country singer trying to make it in the bars. He sest out on a trip to Memphis, hoping to make it big. His real-life son Kyle plays his nephew, who tags along to keep him out of trouble.I give him credit for trying, but Eastwood CANNOT sing. He actually did a better job trying in PAINT YOUR WAGON then here. The movie is rather slow, with the occasional sleazy comment or action to hold your interest, which doesn't last long. One funny moment is when Red tells off a cop who is frisking him. Another is when he holds up a friend with a shotgun, (yes, he does carry a gun in this one briefly). By far the funniest part is where he takes his nephew to a brothel to help him lose his virginity! Still, the movie is depressing with Red suffering from TB throughout the whole film, and to see him waste away while singing doesn't make things any better. The cars are also not in date with the film. Wanting to be somebody is a good motive for still going on with the show, but he takes it too far, and any Eastwood fan would be rattled by the ending. HONKEYTONK MAN was a commercial disappointment, and I would sadly rank it as one of Eastwood's worst films.

Paul Emmons

09 May 2012

Verismo!

The critics didn't like this film, but I beg to differ. Perhaps I'mnaive and gullible, but to me it rings true in its local color and thecoping of poor people in the Depression amidst the aspirations of youngand old alike.My father, a published author in a small way, once mused to me that ifhe were to write a novel, it would be about someone trying to come toterms with his own mediocrity. Such is the theme of this movie, andhardly typical a consideration it is in a time when the media bombardus coast to coast, for our adulation, with the glamorous images of amere handful of individuals who happen to have landed vast fame andfortune. What does any of this have to do with most of us? On the onehand, we live day to day. On the other, a recurring dream whispers"maybe..."Knowing that he is living on borrowed time, Red, humble andhand-to-mouth but respected more than he knows by a few somewhat moresuccessful colleagues (and an unusually fallible and vulnerablecharacter for Eastwood, which he plays well) is granted, in extremis,an apparent opportunity to reach for the stars. More down-to-earth, heis also fortuitously blessed/burdened with not just one but two youngproteges: first his nephew, then also a girl at loose ends. Perhapsneither is particularly talented; nevertheless both have a claim on hisattention which he reluctantly fulfills in his own unassuming way,while making no exalted pretenses as to their prospects. When on hisdeathbed he can do no more for them, he commends them to each other."You take care of her, now" he rasps to Whit. "She's okay. Help herwith her singing." While they may never reach celebrity, the texture oflife can sustain them if they face it together.As, dying and perhaps delirious, he gazes up into Marlene's face, hesees the "raw-boned Okie woman" he had loved for several years as amistress, and whom he later had regretted leaving. She had borne a girlwhom he had never met. Marlene was a fatherless waif of about the rightage. Did he recognize at the last moment his long-lost daughter? It isa question which the film leaves hanging in the air. Does genealogymatter? In practical terms, that is what she became almost too late.For my money, it's a raw-boned, American Okie "La Boheme."

08 May 2012

Another underrated Eastwood film....

Clint Eastwood has tons of films that usually are dismissed by critics and forgotten about, but his longtime fans see them and adore them. Some examples are A Perfect World, Bronco Billy, and this film. This is a really subtle film that starts out (deceptively) as light comedy, then takes a serious turn in the middle and has a sad ending. It's similar to Million Dollar Baby in that way (even though MDB is better), and the plot is similar (flawed people who have made past mistakes looking for that shot at redemption). Clint, as actor and director, really captures the atmosphere of the depression days, the desperation, the sadness, and the fear that everyone had to live with. His character is one of the most real he's played, a far cry from the "Clint Eastwood persona". Kyle Eastwood, Clint's son, is very good here. He never acted after this, but he's good. He's a very well renowned jazz musician these days. Overall, this is one of Clint's most underrated and sad films, one that should be better known.