The stage curtains open ...
James: "I feel terrible about this. Look, I'll be glad to buy you another car."
Diana: "Your insurance information will be sufficient."
"Hard To Hold" (1984) is a film that catches rocker, Rick Springfield, at the height of his popularity. Coming off several Top 40 hits, it seemed natural that a movie would be made showcasing his music set around a love story with a fictional character. Springfield was no stranger to acting in front of a camera by this point, having been in 1978's "Battlestar Galactica" and several television shows including his stint as a doctor on the soap opera, "General Hospital". I'd never seen this one when it came out, though I have always loved his music. But, I finally caught up to it all these years later.
After a concert one night, rock star James Roberts (Springfield) finds himself locked out of his hotel room, wrapped only in a towel and being pursued mercilessly by screaming fans. Driving away in his friend's car, he gets into an accident where he meets Diana (Janet Eilber), an attractive child psychologist who has no idea who he is. He begins to pursue her, and as they develop a relationship, he finds himself struggling to write quality songs in the studio - all of which is complicated by the presence of his ex-girlfriend who is still in the band. James and Diana are falling in love, but the cold reality of any possible future together begins to surface, threatening to tear them apart.
After watching this one for the first time, I was struck with how cookie cutter the plot was. In fact, the name of his character, 'James Roberts', lacks any imagination. It is a story we've seen a million times when a celebrity and non-celebrity fall in love and struggle with the combination of two entirely different worlds and lifestyles. The acting in the film is pretty much non-existent with a story that has been overdone. But, there was a nice, simple chemistry between our lovestruck characters that works here. Rick Springfield has more than enough charisma to make up for his lack of acting skills (which weren't anything to write home about). And the music? The music was pretty good, highlighted by his hits "Love Somebody" and "Bop 'Til You Drop".
Overall, this movie is underwhelming and with no real depth, but it wasn't terrible either. If you are a Rick Springfield fan and you don't have a problem with mindless fun along with his music, you would probably really like this one. I cannot say I would recommend it, but I felt it was just "okay" at only 5 stars out of 10. I'm glad I finally got to watch it. I doubt very much I would ever watch it again though.
