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IMDbPro

That's the Way of the World

  • 1975
  • PG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
423
YOUR RATING
That's the Way of the World (1975)
Record executives want a highly-regarded record producer to focus on a white pop act whom they feel has the sound America wants. To keep his creative integrity, Buckmaster carefully begins to fight the system that has made him the respected producer he has become.
Play trailer2:04
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8 Photos
DramaMusic

Record executives want a highly-regarded record producer to focus on a white pop act whom they feel has the sound America wants. To keep his creative integrity, Buckmaster carefully begins t... Read allRecord executives want a highly-regarded record producer to focus on a white pop act whom they feel has the sound America wants. To keep his creative integrity, Buckmaster carefully begins to fight the system that has made him the respected producer he has become.Record executives want a highly-regarded record producer to focus on a white pop act whom they feel has the sound America wants. To keep his creative integrity, Buckmaster carefully begins to fight the system that has made him the respected producer he has become.

  • Director
    • Sig Shore
  • Writer
    • Robert Lipsyte
  • Stars
    • Harvey Keitel
    • Ed Nelson
    • Cynthia Bostick
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    423
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sig Shore
    • Writer
      • Robert Lipsyte
    • Stars
      • Harvey Keitel
      • Ed Nelson
      • Cynthia Bostick
    • 15User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    Trailer

    Photos7

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Coleman Buckmaster
    Ed Nelson
    Ed Nelson
    • Carlton James
    Cynthia Bostick
    Cynthia Bostick
    • Velour Page
    Bert Parks
    Bert Parks
    • Franklyn Page
    Jimmy Boyd
    Jimmy Boyd
    • Gary Page
    Michael Dante
    Michael Dante
    • Mike Lemongello
    Maurice White
    Maurice White
    • Early
    Earth Wind & Fire
    Earth Wind & Fire
    • The Group
    • (as Earth Wind and Fire)
    Ron Gorton
    • Warren Barfield
    Valerie Shepherd
    • Ellen
    Herb Downer
    • Player
    • (as Herb Towner)
    Francesca De Sapio
    Francesca De Sapio
    • Amanda
    • (as Francesca Di Sapio)
    Charles McGregor
    • Mantan
    • (as Charles MacGregor)
    Fred Versacci
    • Ferrara
    Murray Moston
    Murray Moston
    • Buck's Father
    Sig Shore
    • Norman Shulman
    • (as Mike Richards)
    Charles Stepney
    • Johnny Lyman
    • (as Chuck Stepney)
    Linda Fields
    • Annabel Lee
    • Director
      • Sig Shore
    • Writer
      • Robert Lipsyte
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    6.1423
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    Featured reviews

    john.foulks

    Good Movie

    I was told about this motion picture from my good friend Rick, and he has always told me to look up this movie from the Web Site and view it, after all of the comments that I have read, I am surely excited about getting this motion picture and seeing it, it is about the group Earth, Wind and Fire, they was one of my favorite singers during the 1970's, right after I came back from Viet-Nam, the motion picture depicts about them coming into the spot light, there many songs and encounters with other groups has made this movie something special to see I was told by Rick, I am looking forward to seeing this motion picture, and I hope many of you are also wondering about this movie.
    5TheFearmakers

    Earth, Wind but without the Fire

    One of those movies that you don't hear a lot about, and it's not bad, really, for a music group's outright propaganda piece: herein promoting the soulful funk/disco outfit Earth, Wind & Fire. And with Harvey Keitel as a sane version of record-producing phenom Phil Spector, this should've been a goldmine... or at least silver...

    But the problem with THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD is it spends too much time on an uninteresting romance between Keitel's Coleman Buckmaster and the lead singer of a white milquetoast singing trio, who have as little talent as Earth, Wind & Fire's fictional band The Group has soul and motivation...

    Sadly, we only see the latter jamming twice: the best during an opening credit sequence liken to, say, a car racing flick with a line of rod rods revving at the starting gate as The Group warms up each instrument with funky delight...

    Then when Keitel's given the task to instead record a single for the other outfit, called The Pages, the ingenue alone is the best thing going: But mostly for her looks: think exploitation starlet Angel Tompkins had she joined The Partridge Family...

    Introducing Cynthia Bostick as one of those progressive 1970's women who says what she means and holds little back, acting like cocky go-to dudes did in the 1950's while making the producer/artist courtship anything but subtle, or intriguing. She practically throws herself into Keitel's arms, and there could have been some worthy sparks flying, especially in the recording studio where things go way too easily for both...

    As an actress, Bostick only has three credits to her name (the rest on television). And ironically, the only other potentially great character is played by a tough looking Italian with this his sole effort, named Charles McGregor, as a mobster-like industry mogul, who seems more fitting a movie where a far too subdued Keitel would have fit much better. He has a way of making threats without saying much to his sellout underlings Michael Dante and Ed Nelson, both repeating the exposition/plotline mantra: that Keitel's "Buck" needs to think about money over artistic integrity...

    So it's that much more frustrating for Earth, Wind & Fire not having a more active part, musically and otherwise, and it seems like Maurice White and company were ready and willing: this could have been their very own ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL, and four years beforehand.

    Ultimately, a fantastic twist end explaining how Keitel bedded down the ingenue so quickly, and without any obstacles, makes up for the slow, uneventful buildup. But overall, as an attempted realistic/edgy glimpse into the music industry, THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD simply doesn't pay enough dues.
    8dtrobb

    8 out of 10.

    Campy? Sure. Stiff dialogue? Sure. Not Academy Awards quality acting? Sure. But, the plot is interesting. The music is great. The scene w/EW&F performing at a roller disco venue is totally cool. I really liked this movie.
    ColemanDerrick

    Effective screenplay of the music industry then and now

    While it has been more than ten years since I have seen That's The Way of The World, I can say that anyone who sees the picture will appreciate it, and its view of the music industry. Harvey Keitel plays a record executive who appreciates the talent of a band played by Earth Wind and Fire. However, the record company is forcing him to promote a white popular act(based primarily on The Carpenters). While Keitel's character stays true to his heart, the overall message of the movie is that popular culture, expressed by music and images, maintains a discriminatory profile of American culture. If you see this movie, realize that it was made before disco became truly popular in the USA.

    Another point to mention is that the movie deserves a look, but suffered because it was hard to market. Yes, unfortunately in 1975, American society was still segregated. Black music was marketed to blacks only, while popular music was either rock/heavy metal or melody music. Because white audiences were not as familiar with EWF, they did not care that they were in the picture. On the other hand, this was at the climax of the blaxploitation era, and the soundtrack and appearance of EWF were hyped to black audiences. However, when people saw the film and realized that the group only make brief appearances, they turned away.

    My point is that because of the racial attitudes of American culture in 1975, the movie was not appreciated as it should have been. So when you watch it, please do so with an open mind. One of the more refreshing things about it is that it is a drama with more substance than style, and easy to get into without always being reminded that you're watching something from the 1970s.

    Charles Stepney, who was involved in the making of the motion picture, was a close associate of Maurice White. He was involved in EWF's music leading into this project.
    9ShawMiltonB

    Distribution

    I would like to know if anyone know how I can get a copy of the movie, "That's the way of the World". It's been about 30 years since I've seen this movie, and I would like to see it again. Earth Wind & Fire transcend the nation globally with their inspirational music and themes. It was unfortunate that this group didn't take off like their counterparts in the early 70's, but as previously stated, racial tension existed in the United States which prohibited equalized exposure for the African American musical groups. It is good to see that Earth Wind & Fire continuing their success. I would like to add this movie to my collection. Someone please help me if possible. Thank you for your attention. Milton Shaw

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The band Earth Wind & Fire's fictional name is The Group, but there's an Earth, Wind & Fire billboard in one scene (shown prominently, as if deliberate).
    • Quotes

      Coleman Buckmaster: They're just gonna keep cranking out that same kind of garbage. Right now the idea is to have me produce fast-buck bubblegum shit. Then when they think the drug supplies are loosening up, then they tell me to produce some music for kids to freak out by.

      Amanda: You mean, like instant social remedies from the same wonderful people who gave us decadence?

      Coleman Buckmaster: Hmmm. I kinda like that.

    • Connections
      Featured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 6 (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Shining Star
      (uncredited)

      Performed by Earth Wind & Fire

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    FAQ14

    • How long is That's the Way of the World?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shining Star
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Sig Shore Productions
      • Sig Shore Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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