Der Songschreiber

Willie Nelson is a songwriter in the country/western genre and a very successful one -- artistically, anyway. Most of the money is taken by the producers, including Rip Torn. Eventually Wilson gets together with his old performing partner, Kris Kristofferson, Lesley Ann Warren, and Melinda Dillon to right old wrongs and get the rights to his song back.

Most of the pleasure in this movie is, of course, in the music; Kristofferson was nominated for the Best Score Oscar. There's fun, too, in watching the suits get worked over in their never-ending greed, and the Austin location shooting is excellent.

"Songwriter" never fails to hit the spot. This may sound weird but watching this movie feels like hanging out with old friends. There's a lot of great dialogue and a lot of laughs. There's a lot of good music, too. "Songwriter" is filled with great characters and has a terrific villain. Everybody in the cast delivers a solid performance. "Honeysuckle Rose" may be a better movie but "Songwriter" is more fun to watch. Honorable mention: Rip Torn.

Doc Jenkins (Willie Nelson) is a broke songwriter and session musician. He had a hit song but all the money goes to his unscrupulous producer who owns all the rights. He still loves his ex-wife and former music star Honey Carder (Melinda Dillon). He only has managing his old singing partner Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) who introduces him to new singer Gilda (Lesley Ann Warren). Dino McLeish (Rip Torn) is her money-grubbing manager who agrees to go 50-50.

The story is a little messy and meandering. It's scruffy like Willie Nelson himself. This almost feels like an Altman film if there is a few more crowded dialogue scenes. It did get an Oscar nomination for music. It also has the undeniable easy charms of Willie Nelson. That goes a long way.

Willie Nelson turns in a surprisingly effective performance as Doc Jenkins, a travelling singer/songwriter whose dreams of greater success (primarily in financial terms) collide with his lack of business sense in Alan Rudolph's entertaining Songwriter. It's up to his friends, fellow performer, Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) and rising star, Gilda (Lesley Ann Warren) to help him out of a bad deal made with Rodeo Rocky, played by Richard C. Sarafian.

I was delighted to see how effortlessly Nelson threw himself into the role of Doc. Did his inspiration come from the real life financial troubles he faced a while back? You decide. It's just a pleasure to see him using that golden voice and interacting with old pal, Kristofferson. I also enjoyed the trip that Rudolph takes us on the road and behind the stage of the country music scene.

Setbacks include the discovery of Gilda. Although possessed with a fine voice, I had trouble believing that she had enough talent to sweep Blackie and Doc off their feet. Showing a newcomer as "gifted" in film is always tough. The voice has to be right and the songs interesting. I just don't think it worked here. I also didn't agree with Rocky's character who came off as a little too slimy, although we are talking about the record industry.

I enjoyed it overall. The story keeps you watching and Nelson with his guitar is worth the price of the rental alone. Watching this songwriter was a pleasure.

Songwriter is absolutly one of the best movies I have ever seen. Willie and Kris play there parts as though it was there lives and I somewhat believe it was pretty close. The songs , (which I've never heard any in full length) are some of the finest country songs I've ever listened to. I personally know this movie word for word and can't wait to get a new one because I wore the old one out. Due to the wife I had to dig it from the garbage more than once. I couldn't get enough of kris's "Raspy" (He's workin on that raspy) voice or willie playing that guitar. And nothing compares to Blackie Bucks band , and the harmonizing . I recommend this movie to anyone with a flair for the old days or who (like myself} played in the honky tonks for peanuts. If you haven't seen it . GET IT.