MovieChat Forums > Honkytonk Man (1982) Discussion > Underrated Gem

Underrated Gem

posted 17 years ago by King-Rishab
6 replies | jump to latest

This movie definately desrves a higher rating then most other crap we see. The way this movie captures human emotions is truly fantastic. Its a sad movie and the ending also is tragic, but that is what life is in real. In real life is not beautiful as portrayed in other movies.

Eastwood's direction is also good. The way he makes movies (with low budget and simplicity) is what makes his movies watchable. He always makes good use of locales, capturing them the way they are. Soundtrack is also great.

Maybe people didnt like the idea of Eastwood dying in the end. But this movie carries a certain message, that whatever be the difficulties and sorrows, one should follow his dreams and try to make them happen. That is what life is all about.

It definately deserves a higher rating.

[–] Cantoris-2 16 years ago

All I can say is, I agree (as I wrote long ago in the comments). Some films take awhile to be recognized. This should be one of them.

[–] Fmartiterron 15 years ago

Well put, King. I just watched it for the first time, and I kept asking myself why it was a flop and why critics don't consider it a key movie in Clint's career.

[–] kristianln 12 years ago

I don't think this movie can possibly be considered a flop. It wasn't the kind that would ever be a blockbuster, and Clint himself wouldn't ever have expected it to be, so you can't measure it by such standards.

It cost app. $2 million to make, and pulled some $5 million at the box office in the US alone, all in 1982 money, so a 250% return at least (and not counting what it pulled in Canada, Europe and elsewhere, nor what it took on VHS, DVD etc.). Adjusting for prices both figures would be at least twice as much today. And so the take is actually fairly respectable for a movie of this kind, and would be generally considered successful.

I still agree, though, that it is an underrated gem. It really stands the test of time, in a way so many other movies don't.

[–] Woodyanders 12 years ago

Agreed. This film is very underrated indeed.

I'm a totally bitchin' bio writer from Mars!

[–] bunkerforever 12 years ago

I watched this film for the first time in a long time last night. I think this is an underrated Eastwood gem. It has a nice mix of both drama and comedy. The ending is sad and uplifting at the same time.

I think this movie would've been better received if it had been done after the Unforgiven period once Clint was more respected as a filmmaker. I think he was still more associated with action films and Westerns when he did Honkytonk Man.

[–] macCro 11 years ago

I'm shocked it's rated only 6.5... The world is full of cold-hearted people who don't get the beauty of this movie.

-------------
They killed his second cousin. Big mistake.
To be or not to be? Not to be.