The Thing Called Love (1993)

57% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(9,781 ratings)

A handful of up-and-coming songwriters discover that love is as difficult to navigate as the music business in this romantic comedy-drama from director Peter Bogdanovich. Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis) is an aspiring singer/songwriter from New York City who loves country music and has decided to… More A handful of up-and-coming songwriters discover that love is as difficult to navigate as the music business in this romantic comedy-drama from director Peter Bogdanovich. Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis) is an aspiring singer/songwriter from New York City who loves country music and has decided to take her chances in Nashville, TN, where she hopes to strike it big as a musician. After arriving in the Music City after a long bus ride, Miranda makes her way to the Bluebird Café, a local watering hole with a reputation as a showcase for new talent. The bar's owner, Lucy (K.T. Oslin), takes a shine to the shy but plucky newcomer, and gives her a job as a waitress. Before long, Miranda has gotten to know a number of other Nashville transplants who are look looking to land a gig or sell a song, among them sweet and open-hearted Kyle Davidson (Dermot Mulroney), moody but talented James Wright (River Phoenix), and spunky Linda Lue Linden (Sandra Bullock). As the four friends struggle to find their place in the competitive Nashville music scene, both Kyle and James display a romantic interest in Miranda, while she finds it difficult to choose between the two. The Thing Called Love features cameos from a number of noted country performers, including Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Katy Moffatt, Jo-El Sonnier, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Sadly, The Thing Called Love would be best remembered as the last film actor River Phoenix completed before his death in the fall of 1993. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Peter Bogdanovich
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 16, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Mar 7, 2006

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Perhaps there's not much new to say about the dues and disappointments involved in breaking into the country music scene, but the scenes are fresh and the emotions real in Peter Bogdanovich's tune-laden, mixed-mood drama.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Although well acted, with early scenes that deftly sketch the atmosphere, the movie, written by Carol Heikkinen, never takes off.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
It bears as little relation to the real Nashville as Altman's 1975 feature, but director Peter Bogdanovich, the talented cast, and the credited and uncredited screenwriters are so busy conjuring up a charming world of their own that I didn't mind.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Perhaps no one could have saved Phoenix, who was not lucky enough to find a higher bottom than death. But this performance in this movie should have been seen by someone as a cry for help.
Randy White, Common Sense Media
A star is born in Nashville.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Peter Bogdanovich brings conviction but little else to this upbeat response to Robert Altman's Nashville.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
It's good enough to watch, but not good enough to re-watch.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Nothing terribly new happens here, but Bogdanovich plays out his scenes with tenderness and affection, and the honest performances spring to life.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
It's no Nashville, but give this comedy-drama a second chance.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
The Thing Called Love charms and touches.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Bogdanovich's modest staging is occasionally awkward -- his kids still watch John Wayne movies at the drive-in -- but there's a convincing sense of what Nashville's like and how country music works.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
It's so sad that Phoenix went out not with a bang but with this whimper.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A highlight of Phoenix's career
, Film4
Sometimes Bogdanovich is just too intelligent for his own good. While he hardly puts a foot wrong in his observation of shattered ambitions, his curse seems to be that his work will forever be unfashionable.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

This was River's last movie. About a group of musicians seeling fame and fortune.
Lea L

good movie..
Chosen 7

A bit of a chick flick but it's a good film with some great performances by Samantha Mathis [she is sexy as hell], Dermot Mulroney, Sandra Bullock, and the late River Phoenix.
Leo L

A great movie.

Cast

            River Phoenix as James Wright

            Samantha Mathis as Miranda Presley

            Dermot Mulroney as Kyle Davidson

            Sandra Bullock as Linda Lue Linden

            K.T. Oslin as Lucy

            Anthony Clark as Billy

            Webb Wilder as Ned

            Earl Poole Ball as Floyd

            Trisha Yearwood as Herself

            Larry Black as Taxicab Driver

            Kevin Bourland as Publisher

            Zoe Cassavetes as Bluebird Waitress

            Starletta DuPois as Selma

            Wayne Grace as R.C.

            Paul Hampton as Doug Siskin

            Micole Mercurio as Mary

            Katy Moffatt as Herself

            Tom Nolan as Desk Cop

            Jack Verbois as Rear-ended Driver

            Rosie Flores as Writer's Circle Participant

            Rick Hall as Onlooker

            Jason Klassi as Writer's Circle Participant

            Dianne Crittenden
            
            O'Neal Compton as Singing Cop

            Barry Shabaka Henley as Reverend Raymond

            Valeri Ross as Doctor

            Ancel Cook as Onlooker
See full cast