Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786300268210 Format: Color ISBN: 6300268217 Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Release Date: 1992-04-15 Running Time: 98 Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1980-10-03
An aging folk singer who has passed the peak of his popularity takes one last stab at regaining his superstardom.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent movie a must see Comment: This wasn't a mainstram movie and really wasn't "pushed" by the studio to be a blockbuster but you will feel like you just watched one afterwards. The soundtrack is fantastic. The group is called "Stuff" with Paul Simon. They actually have an album out by the same name. It takes a look at the music business from the inside, which not everyone gets to view in real life. Take an evening aside and sit and enjoy the movie and the music called One Trick Pony. Customer Rating: Summary: DVD Version Long Past Due Comment: I agree that this film is seriously underrated. In my opinion, the story and the soundtrack have not dated, and it is a film that I find I still want to come back to every few years. My tired old video copy of this film is the only thing keeping me from getting rid of my video player - everything else in my collection has already been re-purchased in DVD format! To the powers that be: please release a DVD version pronto! Then I can give my video copy to someone else, and even create a new "One Trick Pony" fan in the process. Customer Rating: Summary: One-Trick Paul Simon Comment: Paul Simon has always been a great singer-songwriter. I've never pictured him as a screenwriter until I heard about, and saw this movie.(I even have a book of the movie script.) It was about a rock star named [Jonah Levin]. With all the major changes in the music industry, Jonah's career was disintegrating, as was his marriage. Eventually he reclaimed both things in the end. Although, the movie wasn't a huge success, it was still a great movie. Besides Paul, the cameo appearances of musicians Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Tony Levin, and Richard Tee were superb. Even the cameo appearances of Harper Simon, the B-52's, Sam and Dave, the Lovin' Spoonful, Tiny Tim, and Lou Reed were also outstanding. Paul is still one of the most gifted stars I've ever known. I hope he still continues to be like that. As I once said in an old review, "You can't teach an old pony new tricks." Customer Rating: Summary: A Film That Accurately Depicts The Music Biz Comment: I'm sorry to say if you're not a professional musician there are aspects of this movie that will fly past you. Those other reviewers who 'got' the movie, whether being a musician or just an observer of how detritus gets peddled for art on a daily basis, are to be commended for recognizing the subtleties in this movie. One aspect of genius in this movie is recruiting REAL musicians to portray the characters they represent. Maybe some of those who found it boring would have preferred some hotel room trashing rather than a depiction of professionalism. Anyone with a job that involves travel knows about the strain that time away from your family can create. Add to that, being part of an industry that most people don't regard as a legitimate job. Also the politics of being subjected to the opinions of superiors (and their influences) who haven't the slightest idea of what you're trying to accomplish. Hooks are for people with minimal imagination! There's a lot to appreciate in this movie if you know where to look. Customer Rating: Summary: Portrait of a Slow Decline Comment: This movie demonstrates in clear terms what has happened to the music industry. No...wait a minute. I mean, what has happened to the music. The bulk of music consumers and wannabe's could not possibly find it entertaining because they are too interested in finding something that pleases them and places them in the forefront of their audio experience . Regarding the effort (and risk) that was involved in producing it, I say...Paul is a modern day Cyrano. To me, it is the closest account of the cancer that seems to have pervaded the music (and now the movie) industry(s). (I think Randy Newman sparked a bit of this in his song Mr. Sheep.) It is a SHAME that this title is not available on DVD. If you want to understand the subtleties of the music business when it first began to die and succumb, you should watch this movie....at least 3 times. (I'm compensating for those who aren't aware of the last 40 years.) Such are my thoughts...but I admit I'm rather an impatient critic. I love it. Thankyou Paul and all those involved. By the way...there are some real gems (music & lyrics)...just not 'over-produced' as to help make the point, I'm sure.
