Product Description: No Description Available. Genre: Feature Film-Drama Rating: R Release Date: 4-SEP-2007 Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com: The legend of Mississippi blues master Robert Johnson has served as a fountainhead for generations of blues and rock musicians, as well as a powerful fable for the dark, often violent mysteries of delta blues. Johnson's mythic deal with the Devil, in exchange for his extraordinary musical gifts, has become a fixture in blues lore and an example of the enduring pull of superstitions that can be traced back to Mother Africa and Yoruba deities. Producer-director Walter Hill (The Long Riders, Streets of Fire) sought to put this uniquely American mystery on film, but when he was unable to secure a script devoted directly to Johnson himself, Hill bravely decided to proceed with a more oblique, allegorical story that retold the Satanic bargain through a fictionalized drama set in the present day. In this 1986 feature, the hero is Eugene, a classically trained guitar virtuoso pulled toward the earthier powers of blues. When he stumbles across a lost blues legend, Willie Brown (a real blues figure and Johnson peer known for his partnerships with Charley Patton and Son House, among others), Eugene begins an odyssey back to the delta country and the crossroads of the title, where both Willie and Johnson had traded their souls for blues power, to help the surviving bluesman renegotiate terms.
An opening sequence, shot in sepia-toned black and white, dramatizes Johnson's own supernatural encounter, as well as one of the bluesman's historic Texas recording sessions, and Hill's visuals combine with frequent collaborator Ry Cooder's reliably authentic slide guitar to offer a promising glimpse of cinematic conjury. Even the satanic villain--a grinning huckster named Scratch--honors the trickster figure familiar to African American superstitions, rather than a generic devil. Willie Brown (Joe Seneca) is likewise a convincing link to the blues past, but Hill's central casting choice--Ralph (The Karate Kid) Macchio--sacrifices all for marquee value, a Hobson's choice that casts a shadow of unintended parody across the film. Macchio's earlier character, not Scratch, haunts this film, and even a nifty duel between Eugene, his slashing fretwork supplied off-camera by Cooder, and Scratch's ax-wielding henchman, heavy metal virtuoso, and one-time Frank Zappa protégé Steve Vai, can't safely rescue the film. --Sam Sutherland
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - awesome
if you are a music fan (especially) the blues you will love this movie. what treat getting to see steve via jam out on guitar at the end. the movie has a very good plot, and is very inspirational to musicians.
Rating: - never received
Don't know if this was a good movie or not because I have yet to receive this DVD. I have sent the seller several e-mails, but no one has responded. I purchased it on July 18, 2008, and the estimated arrival date was Aug. 8, 2008. I paid for this DVD with my paypal account so I know they have already gotten my money. Needless to say, I'm not at all happy with the seller at this time.
Some info would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks in advance,
Amy
Rating: - Worth it for great Blues music and a young Jami Gertz
I really enjoy this film. The fascinating legend of Blues pioneer Robert Johnson, and his alleged deal with the Devil at the Crossroads, is the backdrop of this story. With fine performances by Ralph Macchio and especially Joe Seneca this movie is a delightfully entertaining journey. Eugene (Macchio) takes Willie (Seneca) down South to Willie's old stomping grounds all in hopes that Willie will teach Eugene the "lost" Robert Johnson song that no one has heard. Willie was a friend of Johnson's in their youth. Eugene is a talented Julliard trained guitarist with an obsession for the Blues. Along the way, they meet Frances, a runaway 17 year old girl who joins them. Played by a stunning 20 or 21 year old Jami Gertz, Frances is determined to get to L.A. to start a dance career. After Eugene falls for her, she then leaves during the night causing Eugene to get the Blues. He then has a guitar battle (with Steve Vai) to ... Read More
Rating: - Crossroads
Do not let the mixed reviews about this film deceive you. I would say however, it's wider appeal will be for blues fans and those who are interestd in Robert Johnson in particular. Some parts of the movie are based on either facts or legends of Robert Johnson, mostly on the legend of Johnson selling his soul to the spirit Legba at the crossroads in return for the ability of being the best blues player alive. The same happened to one of his associates, Blind Dog. Blind dog later tricks the young Ralph Macchio to help him escape a nursing home in order to go back to the delta in an attempt to nullify his own bargain with Legba. Short of money, they must play the blues in roadhouses and juke-joints along the way to survive, allowing for many adventures. A surprise ending with a "blues head-cutting contest", giving a great array of guitar licks. If macchio wins, then Blind Dogs gets his deal with Legba nullified, but ... Read More
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- awesome
- never received
- Worth it for great Blues music and a young Jami Gertz
