Hard to Hold

The leading man, Rick Springfield did a good job with the lousy script he had to work with, but the casting could not have been worse for the leading lady. The actress (Janet Elliber) was ugly as dirt and looked about 15 years older than Rick, and there was nothing likable about her. She was supposed to be a mental health professional, yet she was extremely unbalanced and seemed to have a number of personality disorders. Patti Hansen gave a good performance as the jealous ex girl-friend, but her role wasn't developed enough to improve the film as a whole. Also, this movie came out before the PG-13 rating came along, so the editing is extremely choppy in places since the producers were trying to avoid an R rating. I think it definitely could have been better, and there are a few good scenes, particularly when Rick's character Jamie is performing on stage. Most of the music on the soundtrack was written and performed by Rick himself, and some of the songs like "Love Somebody" and "Don't Walk Away" are really memorable.

If you are going to go through all the trouble of making a movie, how much more of an effort is it to make it somewhat clever, or at the very least moderately fun? This looks like a quickie vehicle slapped together to capitalize on Rick Springfield's 80s popularity. It was his era; he could have belched the alphabet and it would have gone gold. Expanding on that theory, we have "Hard To Hold" as the cramp-producing result.The woman he is pursuing is all wrong for him; you cannot possibly get what he sees in her. She is totally unsympathetic, unlikeable and miserable, seemingly in a chronic PMS state for the majority of the movie. Someone should have given Patti Hansen more to do, as her character lends the only semblance of crediblity to this career-squelching morass of mediocrity.

You know, I liked this movie, and I am looking to buy a copy of it eventually. True, it's not the greatest movie, but hey, it's RICK SPRINGFIELD, and that's the real reason I went to see it in the first place!

It's a light-hearted movie, entertainment for his fans, and has a rockin' soundtrack, where Rick really shines.

Did I read correctly that another reviewer says he's a "no-talent"? Oh please. As the saying goes, he has more talent in his little finger than a host of other singers/actors/whatever have in their whole bodies! Very gifted songwriter, excellent performer (have you ever been to a concert?), and a d*mn good-looking man to boot! You can't ask for much more. Rick's been in the business for a long time, and may he continue for many more years!

Rock on, Rick baby! ;-)

Famous rock star James Roberts (Rick Springfield) has a professional and personal partnership with volatile Nicky Nides (Patti Hansen). He crashes a car into child psychologist Diana Lawson (Janet Eilber) and that begins a romance.

They should have gotten the real Tony Bennett or just name a different old guy. She is way too easy. She can't have sex just after fake Tony Bennett. Girl, hold out for the real thing. I do like reversing the usual trope by making him do the walk of shame. He just needs to walk. It's a good start, but this is not well-written. The acting is fine for the most part. Springfield does a passable rock star although he's never been hard like that. He's a music and TV star. They want to make a movie star out of him. He shows his butt and plays some songs in a star vehicle. It's not the worst idea. They do need to play Jessie's Girl in one of the concerts.

This movie wasn't the worst movie made. Don't go to see it if you want to have deep thoughts! We are NOT talking Masterpiece Theatre! If you are a Rick Springfield fan (and there are a lot of us!) you will love this. Rick Springfield is NOT the worst actor around. It has a good story and GREAT music! It is a good love story. What normal woman doesn't fantasize about a famous, gorgeous, and nice man sweeping her off her feet?!?! Perfect 80s fun! Patti Hansen (Keith Richards' woman) is nutty and beyond, but it worked for her character. The most important reason to see it? A scene involving Rick Springfield that MAY or MAY NOT stay on! Bottom Line -- this movie is the perfect thing to watch when you want to have a bit of fantasy and not get hit over the head with how artistic or political it is.