Year of Eastwood #35

Honkytonk Man (1982)

Starring: Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood
Directed by Eastwood

Clint reached a point in his career in the 80’s that he could get just about any movie made that he wanted. It didn’t matter if there wasn’t much of a script with Clint involved it was going to make some money.

Case in point, Honkytonk Man. I imagine the pitch went something like … a down and out Country singer gets his shot at the Opry - and some stuff happens - and then, why not, he gets real sick in the end. Oh yea, and Clint is going to sing in the movie. And just further his point, Clint puts his own son in the movie.

Honkytonk Man opens up in some dust bowl and it’s feeling like a twister moving in. Clint makes his big entrance as he crashes his fancy car thru the family farm. Not sure if he’s sick or really drunk or both. After moping around for a few days, Clint’s sister decides the only smart thing to do is let her young son go along with Clint to the Opry, just to make sure he gets there safe. And might as well let grandpa go along as well, you know, just for kicks.

It’s a dirt road trip! Shenanigans ensue as the guys travel from town to town - drinking, smoking, and playing in juke joints. Grandpa isn’t quite as much fun as everybody thought he’d be - so let's get rid of him. Enter a loopy young gal who’s got her eyes set on Clint and a career in Nashville … but Clint ain’t interested and the gal can’t sing. Clint helps get the young boy laid … a fact that I’m sure has followed Clint’s son around his whole life. Every now and then Clint coughs up a fit.

Now, a general rule is that I try not to criticize young actors, because I’m sure the whole experience of making a movie is pretty overwhelming … so I’ll just say that Kyle’s acting coach on the set of Honkytonk Man was none other than Sondra Locke.

Clint, on the other hand, is a grown man - so I’m sure he can take some criticism. Don’t make a movie about an undiscovered musical talent when the man can’t sing. Clint sort of whisper-sings (see Paint Yer Wagon) and we’re supposed to believe that audiences are captivated by his every note. Plus, Clint surrounds himself with some of the greats of C&W, but ... hey, let’s let Ringo sing the songs.

Clint finally makes it to his Opry audition. Of course, the room is a hush as the Opry hasn’t seen a talent like this in a long time, but Clint gets sick. Some fancy record producer hears the audition and wants to make some Clint records because the people need to hear this music.

The whole movie feels like they were just winging it. Just roll film, Clint will come up with something. So this guy drives this pickup and he’s got an ornery orangutan with him. Or he has to sneak into Russia to steal a jet that shoots mind missiles. OK people, it’s a wrap … print it.