Songwriter (1984)

Although he's one of country music's most beloved stars, a singer/songwriter (Willie Nelson) finds his life in a mess! He's ripped off financially by a contract with a gangster entrepreneur (Richard C. Sarafian), his two wives (Melinda Dillon, Shannon Wilcox) have left him and he's broken up with his singing partner (Kris Kristofferson). Directed by Alan Rudolph (CHOOSE ME), this is a grand free wheeling satire of the music business. In this instance, country music but really it could have easily been rock or something else. It has the thinnest of scenarios but it's not about the plot as much as the pleasure of being tossed into a crazy mix of characters and music and for a little while being that fly on the wall with the knowledge that you'll be able to escape after a bit. As actors, Kristofferson and Nelson are very limited but they're in their comfort zone here and have never been more likable. But it's Lesley Ann Warren who owns the film. Fragile and neurotic, her budding country star finds herself overwhelmed and unsure of the quick success thrust upon her. Rip Torn does his specialty, that devilish hustler that you can't help liking even as he picks your pocket. With Mickey Raphael and Rhonda Dotson.