Country music has always been known for its heart and meaning. From its banjo roots down to its more contemporary flavor, country is one music genre that has managed to preserve its own distinct sound.
Country songs will always tug at our heartstrings. Because we will never grow tired of it, what better way to immortalize the twanging tales of heartbreak, hard luck and redemption than country music-inspired movies, right?
If you’re as big a fan as us, then we highly recommend you add these to your couch potato list:
- Nashville (1975)
Let’s start things off with the most complex movie on this list. Robert Altman’s Nasvhille was created following the aftermath of Watergate. It follows 24 self-absorbed characters, with Lily Tomlin as the controversial, adulterous gospel singer and Keith Carradine as a bonafied rock star, for five days in where else? The country music capital of the world, Nashville. The story builds up to a political rally for populist candidate, Hal Phillip Walker of the Replacement Party.
Renowned film critic, Roger Ebert dubbed it as “interlocking stories of love and sex, of hearts broken and mended … a wicked satire of American smarminess … a political parable … a tender poem to the wounded and the sad.” Another plus side? It contains over one hour of original country music compositions, including songs written by the actors who sang them in the film.
- Payday (1973)
Who could forget this R-rated movie when its trailer alone already stirred the attention of moviegoers, “If he can’t smoke it, drink it, spend it or love it, forget it.” The movie follows the wild meanderings of self-destructive honky tonk, Maury Dann — a country singer who happens to enjoy bedding his fans at the back of his chauffeured limo.
Played by Rip Torn, who happened to do his own singing, his character isn’t exactly the kind audience would be sympathized with. However, it does make for quite an entertaining film. Oh and it’s highly commendable for its voyeuristic pleasure and gritty sense of humor.
- Urban Cowboy (1980)
John Travolta made sure he wasn’t going to be marked as merely the disco daddy of film. He ditched the bell-bottoms and opted for a black Steson and a mechanical bull.
Urban Cowboy is a redneck melodrama that follows West Texas country boy, Bud who moves from Houston to be welcomed with the rowdiest nightlife. The movie’s got sass and heart. In between the duds, dances and the endless drinking, comes Sissy’s immortal line, “You a real cowboy”.
Sure the movie feels dated but modern viewers will still get a guaranteed kick out of the entertaining film.
- Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
Sissy Spacek stars in the Loreta Lynn autobiography and she delivered a stunning performance that will still remain as evocative as it was in 1980. She played the rags-to-riches, dirt poor Kentucky girl who was only accompanied by her pawnshop guitar. It wasn’t long until she was discovered and she skyrocketed to fame, being dubbed as the Queen of Country Music.
Apart from Spacek’s breathtaking performance, the clever casting decisions of Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D’Angelo and Levon Helm all helped this film become a country music staple.
- Pure Country (1992)
In his acting debut, George Strait plays Wyatt “Dusty” Chandler, a highly desirable country music singer who believes stage gimmicks have taken over what truly matters: The music. In a bout to start a revolution, Dusty gets rid off his ponytail (the perfect ‘90s look) and facial hear and opted for a less grittier look. He then takes a job at a ranch and ends up falling in love with a little filly played by Isabel Glasser. Despite a few cringe worthy moments in Pure Country, the movie’s soundtrack remains George’s highest selling album.
Modern viewers can relate to the film because amidst the countless music festivals adorned with the most extravagant lights and fireworks, the quality of music is becoming less and less impressive.
- Crazy Heart (2009)
Jeff Bridges always had it coming. We always believed he was going to portray a tired, worn out country music singer whose friends are a bottle and a bucketful of regrets.
In Crazy Heart, Jeff plays Bad Blake, a singer who used to be somebody but now, “somebody else”. After hooking up with a young reporter and connecting with a man he used to mentor, Bad Blake sees a spark of hope to turn things around. It’s a compelling film about fighting one’s demons and Bridge’s singing voice that’s got our ears brimming with flowers, rainbows and everything nice.
- Walk the Line (2005)
Plenty of films hold back in fear of exaggeration. However, Walk the Line did the complete opposite and made sure moviegoers had more than enough dramatic exaggeration to last them for a decade — but it works.
An icon like Johnny Cash deserves a tribute nothing short of spectacular. With Joaquin Phoenix claiming the role and James Mangold on the steering wheel, the film does Cash justice, and more. For one, Phoenix nailed Cash’s onstage attitude, look and more importantly, his voice. You close your eyes and feel like Johnny rose from the grave and went back onstage.
Of course, Reese Witherspoon was an equal match, taking home the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Cash clan dismissed the film as unrealistic. However, it packs such a brave and powerful punch, one can’t help but feel this is how everything went down.
Jade Mya 