Red Stovall (Clint Eastwood) is a Depression-era rascal whose fire-in-the-belly passion comes from the whiskey he slugs and the dream he chases: singing at the Grand Ole Opry. He takes off on a drive from Oklahoma to audit... more »ion in Nashville with nephew Whit (Clint's son Kyle Eastwood) along to help keep the car on the road and Red on the straight and narrow.DVD Features:
"This wouldn't be the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed a movie that critics labeled as too-something-or-other. This is a great movie and apart from the usual Eastwood fare except for the 'gut-and-grit' exhibited by the lead character, Red Stovall, to accomplish his dream despite tuberculosis. As for down-grading Eastwood's singing ability, there are a number of country greats who lack melodic tone and volume but make up for it with style. (Truly unfortunate that critics can do the same!)Buy and enjoy this movie; you won't be sorry."
The Eastwood Team
Larry Hall | Dedham, Maine | 12/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoyed the film very much over all.The acting was well done,which showed the skill of the Director in bring out the talent of each individual actor. I am not sure if the singing and guitar playing of Mr Eastwood was actually done by him or a professional country Western musician. I do think Marty Robbins contributed a great deal to the ending and perhaps it was in some part his sing and playing that inhanced Mr Eastwood in his partI did wish that more scenes could have involved the radio stations of that error but that was not any detraction from the picture.I am sure it is difficult for a parent to capture the attention of a son or daughter in a work setting for long periods of time. The very fact of how this film turned out is of special significance to the sucess of the relationship between father and son. Well done gentlemen!"
Most Country Music "Stars" Can't Sing Either!!!
John Baranyai | 11/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is yet another wonderful offerring by Clint Eastwood. In this movie Clint plays Red, an aspiring guitarist and singer who dreams of performing in Memphis. We see Red's deterioration through Tuberculosis as the movie progresses. His final cry to a lost love is more believable than anything I have seen or read by that so called "Master Of Vulnerable Sentimental Nostalgia" Tennessee Williams.I give this movie 5 stars because Mr. Eastwood can't sing which means he has something in common with most Country Music Stars today."
Great Movie
Larry Hall | 01/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a change of pace for Mr Eastwood, but it is a good change. This is a good story and I am very impressed at Mr Eastwood's singing in the movie. Some parts might seem to be rather "cheesy", but Honky Tonk Man has remained a favorite for my entire family for years. The only downside is that if you purchase the soundtrack, there are other people singing the songs rather than Mr Eastwood . . . bad idea!"
-------Colorful characters and a thoughtful story-------
Judith Miller | Bluemont, VA USA | 12/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Honkytonk Man is an entertaining and well-done film directed by and staring Clint Eastwood. The story takes place during the Great Depression and is about Red Stovall (Clint), a country singer who has a chance to make it on the Grand Ole Opry. Red knows it's probably his last chance for fame. He's an alcoholic and also very sick with tuberculosis. On his way to Nashville, he stops by to visit his sister in Oklahoma. She persuades Red to take along his teenage nephew Whit (Kyle Eastwood) to drive for him. She suspects that Whit will also have to take care of his uncle before very long.
I don't know if Kyle Eastwood appeared in any other films, but I was impressed by how well he did. He was charming and very natural in the role of admiring nephew. In fact, the supporting cast couldn't have been better.
There are some negative comments from other reviewers about Clint's singing. I felt his style matched the character he was portraying in the film. He had a quiet singing voice that was between talking and singing. I found his voice to be pleasant. He's an actor and not a professional singer. I've heard many actors used that same vocal technique when required to sing.
This was not a glamorous or glitzy type of film. It was the story of people who seemed real and lived during the Depression when life was tough and all you had were your dreams.