The Thing Called Love (1993)

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:

River Phoenix wrote his character’s song 'Lone Star State Of Mine' especially for the film.

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: You're always asking everyone else what they think.
Linda Lue Linden: That's right. And you know what? I'm not going to do it anymore. If I don't feel like bein' nice to somebody, I'm just goin' to be mean... or at least impolite.

Movie Connections:

Features The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Soundtrack:

HAPPY EVER AFTER (COMES ONE DAY AT A TIME)

Very good movie so why no DVD release?

This movie is very good, it is straight and honest and true on human feelings as is miles away from the stereotyped musical comedies. Watching it is just a breath of fresh air.

The music is very good, the acting ranges form good to excellent, and director Bogdanovich displays real class touch in some scenes. Bogdanovich is very good at directing young actors, as it was very clear since his "Last Picture Show" movie of the early 70s.

The actors: Phoenix doesn't do much real acting but his presence has something magnetic to it and it's a real shame that he passed away, he would have become one of the greatest actors of today. Mathis is fresh, unmannered and straight, a real girl not a stereotype. At last! You can't say she's beautiful or sexy but man she has presence and personality, you can't but fall in love with her. Bullock plays the ingenue and she does it very well, even in this early movie she displays the acting qualities she became much appreciated for afterwards.

It is a real shame that "The Thing Called Love" hasn't been released on DVD yet. Paramount announced an October 26th, 2004 release which didn't happen. This must be a cruel joke as it's years that we are waiting for this release. Paramount executives, if you read this, please deliver this movie on DVD. I am sure that you won't regret it.