Honkytonk Man (1982)

93% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(5,646 ratings)

Clint Eastwood put his tough-guy image on hold for this personal project, which follows a musician taking one final chance at the big time. Red Stovall (Eastwood) is a would-be country singer who has been bouncing around the margins of the music business for years. With nowhere in particular to go,… More Clint Eastwood put his tough-guy image on hold for this personal project, which follows a musician taking one final chance at the big time. Red Stovall (Eastwood) is a would-be country singer who has been bouncing around the margins of the music business for years. With nowhere in particular to go, Red arrives at the failing Oklahoma farm of his sister for an extended visit, where her son Whit (Kyle Eastwood) quickly bonds with his uncle. However, it's obvious that Red is in very poor health, drinking heavily and breathing with difficulty, and when Red is invited to audition for the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Whit tags along for the road trip to keep an eye on his ailing uncle. En route, Red and Whit are joined by Whit's grandfather (John McIntire) and another hopeful vocalist, Marlene (Alexa Kenin), who like Red is chasing her own dreams of stardom on the Opry. Clint Eastwood performed his own vocals and guitar work for Honkytonk Man, and a number of Nashville legends appear in cameo roles, including Marty Robbins, Porter Wagoner, Ray Price, Merle Travis, and Johnny Gimble. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Written By: Clancy Carlile
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 15, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2003

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
It is a guileless tribute not only to plain values of plain people in Depression America, but also to the sweet spirit of country-and-western music before it got all duded up for the urban cowboys.
Variety Staff, Variety
Eastwood took great pains in telling this story of an aging, struggling country singer...
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This is a sweet, whimsical, low-key movie, a movie that makes you feel good without pressing you too hard.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The film comes across sympathetically but unconvincingly, as an attempt by a well-established movie tough guy to reveal his tender side.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Today it looks much better, and contains one of Eastwood's most openhearted performances.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
More of a curiosity piece for followers of Eastwood than a truly compelling story.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
One of the unnoticed treasures of the '80s.
Derek Adams, Time Out
The whole thing veers wildly in quality, and no Eastwood-hater should go within a mile of it; but few lovers of American cinema could fail to be moved by a venture conceived so recklessly against the spirit of its times.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Surprisingly sweet and mellow piece from Mr. Eastwood.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Sweet and heartfelt.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Though the film is obviously coated with a veneer of nostalgic sentimentality, Eastwood never lets Honkytonk Man veer into maudlin territory.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Clint Eastwood's dust bowl drama Honkytonk Man is a sensitive road picture about a mostly luckless aspiring country music singer.
, Film4
Uneven, indulgent and overlong, but, perversely, it still has a few good moments: the appearance of the some country greats, Eastwood's character trying to sing through his illness, the picturesque scenery.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

A bittersweet character study, it works remarkably well. You even begin to believe Clint Eastwood in the role. The star's son, Kyle Eastwood, makes an impressive film debut.

Cast

            Clint Eastwood as Red Stovall

            Kyle Eastwood as Whit

            John McIntire as Grandpa

            Alexa Kenin as Marlene

            Verna Bloom as Emmy

            Matt Clark as Virgil

            Barry Corbin as Arnspriger

            Linda Hopkins as Blues Singer

            Susan Arnold
            
            Jim Boelsen as Junior

            Rebecca Clemons as Belle

            DeForest Covan
            
            Charles Cyphers as Stubbs

            Bob Ferrera as Eldest Son

            Bette Ford as Lulu

            David Frizzell as Singer at Grand Ole Opry

            R.J. Ganzert
            
            Johnny Gimble as Bob Wills

            Gary Grubbs as Jim Bob

            Jerry Hardin as Snuffy

            Roy Jenson as Dub

            Macon McCalman as Dr. Hines

            Lloyd Nelson
            
            Susan Peretz as Miss Maud

            Joe Regalbuto as Henry Axle

            Marty Robbins as Smoky

            Tim Thomerson as Highway Patrolman

            Merle Travis
            
            Porter Wagoner as Dusty

            Tracey Walter as Pooch

            Shelly West as Singer at Grand Ole Opry

            Robert V. Barron as Undertaker

            George Orrison
            
            John Russell as Jack Wade

            Glenn Wright
            
            Frank Reinhard
            
            Phyllis Huffman
            
            Kelsie Blades
            
            Rozelle Gayle
            
            Hugh Warden
            
            Ray Price as Bob Wills Singer

            John Mc Intire
            
See full cast