The Thing Called Love (1993)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writer (WGA):

Carol Heikkinen (written by)

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Romance | Music

Tagline:

Stand By Your Dream

Plot:

A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.

Plot Keywords:

Newcomer | Singer | Tennessee | Country Music | Love

Cast

River Phoenix	...	James Wright
Samantha Mathis	...	Miranda Presley
Dermot Mulroney	...	Kyle Davidson
Sandra Bullock	...	Linda Lue Linden
K.T. Oslin	...	Lucy
Anthony Clark	...	Billy
Webb Wilder	...	Ned
Earl Poole Ball	...	Floyd
Deborah Allen	...	Herself
Jimmie Dale Gilmore	...	Himself
Katy Moffatt	...	Herself
Jo-El Sonnier	...	Himself
Pam Tillis	...	Herself
Kevin Welch	...	Himself
Trisha Yearwood	...	Herself

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language. (2005 director's cut)

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Finland:S | Argentina:13 | Spain:T | USA:PG-13 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The most financially unsuccessful film of 1993, earning only $1 million gross from a budget of $14 million.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the scene when James meets with a record label agent after performing, Miranda is closing up the bar, however it is obviously day time outside with cars and people going by the windows.

Quotes:

Miranda Presley: Look out Music City, cause here I am and I ain't never leavin'!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Our Friend River (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

SOMEONE ELSE'S USED GUITAR

Strange, But Likeable

I originally sought out this movie strictly because of River Phoenix's presence in it. Strange to say, he is the least of the reasons to like it. Sadly, he seems both out of place, and out in space. Too bad, because I think he is the weak link in what might have been a much better movie, had he been in any condition to lend his considerable talents to the proceedings. Still, I find this movie strangely enjoyable. Mathis, Mulroney, and Bullock are all incredibly appealing, as are the music and surroundings. And even though River's performance seems oddly hollow, you can't deny the chemistry between him and Mathis, nor take your eyes off of River when he's on the screen.