Honkytonk Man (1982)
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93% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
53% of users liked it
(5,747 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
- Directed By
- Clint Eastwood
- Written By
- Clancy Carlile
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 1982 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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, 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.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Eastwood took great pains in telling this story of an aging, struggling country singer...
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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.
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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.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Clint Eastwood
as Red Stovall
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Kyle Eastwood
as Whit
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John McIntire
as Grandpa
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Alexa Kenin
as Marlene
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Verna Bloom
as Emmy
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Matt Clark
as Virgil
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Barry Corbin
as Arnspriger
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Linda Hopkins
as Blues Singer
- Susan Arnold
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Jim Boelsen
as Junior
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Rebecca Clemons
as Belle
- DeForest Covan
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Charles Cyphers
as Stubbs
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Bob Ferrera
as Eldest Son
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Bette Ford
as Lulu
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David Frizzell
as Singer at Grand Ole Opry
- R.J. Ganzert
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Johnny Gimble
as Bob Wills
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Gary Grubbs
as Jim Bob
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Jerry Hardin
as Snuffy
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Roy Jenson
as Dub
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Macon McCalman
as Dr. Hines
- Lloyd Nelson
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Susan Peretz
as Miss Maud
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Joe Regalbuto
as Henry Axle
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Marty Robbins
as Smoky
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Tim Thomerson
as Highway Patrolman
- Merle Travis
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Porter Wagoner
as Dusty
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Tracey Walter
as Pooch
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Shelly West
as Singer at Grand Ole Opry
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Robert V. Barron
as Undertaker
- George Orrison
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John Russell
as Jack Wade
- Glenn Wright
- Frank Reinhard
- Phyllis Huffman
- Kelsie Blades
- Rozelle Gayle
- Hugh Warden
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Ray Price
as Bob Wills Singer
- John Mc Intire
