Visitors Review

edwagreen (2012-05-24 07:22)

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.

Scott Weinberg (2012-05-24 02:35)

Surprisingly sweet and mellow piece from Mr. Eastwood.

maggie85-2 (2012-05-23 02:37)

great movie

I have seen this movie many times and i think its the best movie in theworld.Every time i watch it i cry, its sad,its funny and its a side ofClint Eastwood i have never seen before.I would like to know if ClintEastwood sang the songs and i would like to know who wrote the songsand if i can purchase them anywhere.Marty Robbins and Ray Price werejust great,i love the sound of Marty Robbins.I want to buy the book byClancy Carlile if i can find it,i am in the process of looking it up onthe internet or if anyone can help me find it i would appreciate it.Itwas great to see Kyle Eastwood play the part of Red Stovall,has he beenin many movies since then? if any which ones? Well thats all for nowsee you soon Michael M.

Oghier Ghislain (2012-05-22 18:37)

A Flawed Piece With Some Worthwhile Moments

Clint Eastwood - Dirty Harry, The Man With No Name - occasionallyembraces a project that is the antithesis of his usual anti-hero roles.There is a touch of those characters in "Honkytonk Man"; Red Stovall isa loner, for example. But the similarities stop there. This is anEastwood labor of love. One gets the impression that he enjoyed makingthis film and really didn't care one iota whether the public did, orwhether it made any money. While the love and nurturing that he pouredinto it doesn't make it a great film, or even a very good one, it doeshave its moments and is worthy of a viewing.Eastwood plays Red Stovall, a consumptive man of the road who makes hisliving crooning and playing his guitar in roadhouses and flophouses.Knowing that his affliction while take him sooner or later, probablysooner, he embarks for Nashville to take his shot at the Grand Ole Oprywith his nephew Whit (played by Eastwood's son, Kyle) and his father intow. After a very slow first 45 minutes, during which many a VHS/DVDrenter has likely been irrevocably lost, the film picks up pace. Alongthe way they encounter various foils of the road - a small-townsheriff, a deadbeat who owes Red some badly-needed money, an ambitiousyoung woman, car troubles - but finally arrive in Nashville where Redtakes his shot.Clint sings in this one, and he's not half bad; however, in one seenwhere his disease gets the better of him mid-song and one of thesession musicians has to take over at the microphone, the replacement'svoice outshines that of Red, an unintentional reminder of Eastwood'slimitations. There's a reason Kyle Eastwood has only appeared in only four films,all others being minor roles. But there is also a connection herebetween father and son, and it works. There are plot holes - whateverhappened to Grandpa? - but the final hour of the movie redeems the filmand it ends on a note that Hollywood wouldn't choose, almost always agood thing.6 out of 10.

(2012-05-21 19:23)

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!

(2012-05-21 06:15)

Clint can't sing, well anyway, but that is OK.

This review is from: Honkytonk Man (DVD) Eastwood will never hit the music charts But the acting by all those involved was great. Surprised that it good a PG RATING since Eastwood's son experienced a brothel--no bare bodies--but the story line was realistic and held my attention.There is a stand-in vocalist for some of the songs, which is unmistakable even though they sound alike.The movie is certainly like no other Clint has done but I thought it worth watching and added it to my collection.

moonspinner55 (2012-05-19 23:15)

Lethargic Depression-era entry...

Oddly unlikable, stolid effort directed and co-starring Clint Eastwood(in rueful, ambling spirits). Written by Clancy Carlile from his novel,the drama concerns a boozing Depression-era singer in Oklahoma,harboring health problems yet about to hit the road for the Grand OleOpry, having his street-smart nephew (Kyle Eastwood) along for thejourney as his driver. Real-life father and son Eastwood teaming neverquite achieves anything special, with young Kyle struggling with hisdelivery. Many famous country crooners are given cameos, and Clint'svocals are rather pleasing, but this story is low-keyed and uncertain;if it's supposed to be heart-warming, someone forgot the heart. Worse,the golden-hued photography is brackish and unappealing, and thesupporting players fail to add any energy. * from ****

Roger Ebert (2012-05-19 14:46)

This is a sweet, whimsical, low-key movie, a movie that makes you feel good without pressing you too hard.

Variety Staff (2012-05-17 23:18)

Eastwood took great pains in telling this story of an aging, struggling country singer...

Alan Evans (2012-05-17 12:08)

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.

D.W. Debtor (2012-05-17 06:34)

Underappreciated

I guess your mood and your audience determine how this movie hits you. Today they drown out the candy crunchers and cellophane rattlers by turning up the explosions, but if your audience is making all kinds of racket during this quiet gem, I'm afraid you're lost, love.

(2012-05-16 17:31)

Honkytonk man

This review is from: Honkytonk Man (DVD) Good story line. Holds your attention. Kyle Eastwood did a very good job on this film.

Janet Maslin (2012-05-14 03:42)

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

(2012-05-13 14:59)

honky tonk man

I am an avid Clint Eastwood collector, in fact I am just plain in love with the guy. I have about 33 of his films including ones he does not star in. Mr Eastwood is a phenomenal contribution to many generations of people around the world.

Ryan Hillman (2012-05-13 06:21)

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

(2012-05-12 16:03)

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.

(2012-05-06 07:49)

I'm a Honkytonk man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ole Clint certainly has made better movies, but you want be disappointed if you like music. Him being a great actor doesn't hurt either!!!! Also his real life son plays in it also.

bkoganbing (2012-05-06 01:22)

Put Your Arms Around This Honky Tonk Man

One of Clint Eastwood's more personal projects is Honkytonk Man wherehe both gets to do some singing and also to work with his thenadolescent son Kyle. Apparently Kyle Eastwood has inherited the musicalpart of the Eastwood genes because he makes his living now as a jazzmusician. I wonder if he ever jams with Woody Allen?Clint did not exactly set the world on fire in his previous musicalouting in Paint Your Wagon. But in Honky Tonk Man he's right in hiselement as a hard living country singer during the Depression trying tofinally catch a break with the Grand Ole Opry.Arriving at his sister's farm, Clint picks up both Kyle who is playinghis nephew here and John McIntire who is Kyle's grandfather on hisfather's side and the three generations start out from Oklahoma toNashville.Eastwood has played some hard bitten characters in his films, but neverone as dissolute as Red Stovall. His high living has brought him a caseof tuberculosis, a lot more common and a lot less curable back in thosedays. In any event the peace and quiet of a sanitarium holds nointerest for Clint. He'd rather go out drinking and wenching than dieof boredom in a sanitarium.Of course the odyssey of the three bring any number of adventures aboutlife and love in their lives.John McIntire fits right in with the father and son Eastwoods. Alsolook for good performances by blues singer Linda Hopkins, young AlexaKenan who hitches a ride with the travelers, and a cheating BarryCorbin who Clint collects from in the usual Eastwood manner. All andall a nice family project from the clan Eastwood.

(2012-05-03 08:21)

Great movie about a time gone by

This movie captures the spirit of the people during the Great Depression. Clint Eastwood portrays a country-western singer who's racing against time to have his ballad recorded. Kyle Eastwood (Clint's nephew) plays Hoss a young boy who sees no future in his present life so he anxious embarks on a road trip to get his Uncle Red to Nashville. It's a very atmospheric piece that contains just the right amount of comic relief. It never gets too cheesy or sappy and one actually begins to relate to all of the characters.This film includes cameo appearances by Bob Wills and Eddy Arnold. Highly recommended

(2012-05-02 20:23)

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.