The Thing Called Love

Not really a story about generation x, although the cast is young and as fresh as it can be for 1992 / 1993. This is the story about youth, music and growing up an Elvis fan. More than that, it is a story about friendship and young love. Kind of like an Elvis movie, without the bad country music. Samantha Mathis gives one of her better performances here as the young girl from NYC who wants to be the next country singer out of Memphis. Much like the rocky career of the later (great) River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis has disappeared. Although she is not dead, like some people, Samantha Mathis fell off the radar screen to be in a number of independent films. Here, she is fun to look at and even more, she is one of the reasons why this movie is still good. Even if you don't like country music, this is worth watching.

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.

Thanks to Peter (Bogdonovich) for participating in this project/getting the movie re-released. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but then, even the director admits it in his interview. In fact, he points out it's rather become a "cult classic" and I agree. So truthfully, I tell those who might view these commentaries, that we seem to separate into two camps: those who enjoy the entertainment value, and those who do not.

The film was not made to create any particular lessons, change your point of view about anything, in fact, it wasn't even written in such a way that any of the "players" were gonna become famous for their roles. Nevertheless, the film creates some interesting characters, characters whom all but the coldest-hearts-would certainly pull for as the movie unfolds. Also, the actors do an amiable job of creating endearment as they evolve a bit from beginning to end. Beyond that, there is also a terrific soundtrack of country music for those who love the genre, including three versions of "Blame It On Your Heart".

I sadly look over my shoulder to the memory of River Phoenix and may now be reminded of what a talent he truly could have developed into. And again viewing the movie, I found myself more forgiving to the original headlines of how/who may have brought about his demise. Each character in this movie brought something with them that still makes me a fan. Yes, I give the movie a "7", but, as with Samantha's little song near the end of the movie, this feature is on my wall of favorite dvds to stay!. I do hope others will join me in enjoying it's return to our screens. RLjr

If you love country music, then this movie will treat you to some real musicians, like Trisha Yearwood and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, as well as some talented young actors like Samantha Mathis and River Phoenix doing their own vocals while in character. But for my money, there is but one real reason to watch the movie, and her name is Sandra Bullock, playing the one and only Linda Lue Linden. In this movie, penned by Horton Foote and directed by Peter Bogdanovich (and not truly the best work of either man), a fairly routine plot of a girl straight off the bus from New York (Mathis) who is chasing her dream to be a successful country singer-songwriter unexpectedly has several firecrackers go off in our faces whenever Bullock bursts onto and into the scene. If you have trouble picking out the performers who will one day rule the screen (big or the small TV screen), then study what Ms. Bullock does with this relatively minor supporting character. She creates a three-dimensional, fully formed, very memorable human character out of whole cloth and bailing wire, and hence she is virtually the only thing about this movie that I do remember all these years later. The movie without her is 3-4/10, but with her I give it 5-6/10. +2 for Sandy!

One of River Phoenix's last film roles was as part of a quartet of performer/songwriters looking to get a break in country music in Nashville. The rest of the quartet in The Thing Called Love is Samantha Mathis, Sandra Bullock, and Dermpt Mulroney. The whole thing kind of reminds me a little bit of Stage Door in the hopes and dreams and the camaraderie shared among the hopefuls.

In the two hour running time of the film there are almost 20 musical numbers, so many the plot almost gets in the way. When the quartet isn't singing, they're acting out the usual angst romantic and professional that are common to the young. And several country stars do some musical bits here, chiefly Tricia Yearwood who sings her hit, She's In Love With The Boy.

Tricia also figures into the plot when Mulroney and Mathis break into Yearwood's car in order to leave a cassette tape of Mulroney's latest song. It sounds like something out of I Love Lucy and it all works out in the Lucy manner with Yearwood being a good sport about it. In real life, those two would have been in court with Yearwood taking a restraining order out.

The plot is pedestrian, but the music is nice, especially if you are a country and western fan.