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DramaRomance

The Thing Called Love

- Stand by your dream.

A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.

Release Date : 1993-08-27

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount PicturesDavis Entertainment

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

River Phoenix

Character Name : James Wright

Original Name : River Phoenix

Gender : Male

Samantha Mathis

Character Name : Miranda Presley

Original Name : Samantha Mathis

Gender : Female

Dermot Mulroney

Character Name : Kyle Davidson

Original Name : Dermot Mulroney

Gender : Male

Sandra Bullock

Character Name : Linda Lue Linden

Original Name : Sandra Bullock

Gender : Female

K.T. Oslin

Character Name : Lucy

Original Name : K.T. Oslin

Gender : Male

Anthony Clark

Character Name : Billy

Original Name : Anthony Clark

Gender : Male

Webb Wilder

Character Name : Ned

Original Name : Webb Wilder

Gender : Male

Earl Poole Ball

Character Name : Floyd

Original Name : Earl Poole Ball

Gender : Male

Deborah Allen

Character Name : Deborah Allen

Original Name : Deborah Allen

Gender : Female

Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Character Name : Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Original Name : Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Gender : Male

Katy Moffatt

Character Name : Katy Moffatt

Original Name : Katy Moffatt

Gender : Male

Jo-El Sonnier

Character Name : Jo-El Sonnier

Original Name : Jo-El Sonnier

Gender : Male

Pam Tillis

Character Name : Pam Tillis

Original Name : Pam Tillis

Gender : Female

Kevin Welch

Character Name : Kevin Welch

Original Name : Kevin Welch

Gender : Male

Trisha Yearwood

Character Name : Trisha Yearwood

Original Name : Trisha Yearwood

Gender : Female

Wayne Grace

Character Name : R.C.

Original Name : Wayne Grace

Gender : Male

Micole Mercurio

Character Name : Mary

Original Name : Micole Mercurio

Gender : Female

Starletta DuPois

Character Name : Selma

Original Name : Starletta DuPois

Gender : Female

Larry Black

Character Name : Taxicab Driver

Original Name : Larry Black

Gender : Male

O'Neal Compton

Character Name : Singing Cop

Original Name : O'Neal Compton

Gender : Male

Zoe Cassavetes

Character Name : Bluebird Waitress

Original Name : Zoe Cassavetes

Gender : Female

Lenae King

Character Name : Bluebird Waitress

Original Name : Lenae King

Gender : Male

Barry Shabaka Henley

Character Name : Reverend Raymond

Original Name : Barry Shabaka Henley

Gender : Male

Paul Hampton

Character Name : Doug Siskin

Original Name : Paul Hampton

Gender : Male

Carol Grace Anderson

Character Name : Diner Waitress

Original Name : Carol Grace Anderson

Gender : Female

Larry K. Hirsch

Character Name : Studio Engineer

Original Name : Larry K. Hirsch

Gender : Male

Kevin Bourland

Character Name : Publisher

Original Name : Kevin Bourland

Gender : Male

Tom Nolan

Character Name : Desk Cop

Original Name : Tom Nolan

Gender : Male

Edward Richbourg

Character Name : Stan the Barber

Original Name : Edward Richbourg

Gender : Male

Vernon Oxford

Character Name : Tom the Barber

Original Name : Vernon Oxford

Gender : Male

Merri Biechler

Character Name : Truck Stop Waitress

Original Name : Merri Biechler

Gender : Female

Barbara Harrington

Character Name : Auditioner

Original Name : Barbara Harrington

Gender : Male

Anna Thea Bogdanovich

Character Name : Writer's Circle Participant

Original Name : Anna Thea Bogdanovich

Gender : Male

Cliff Brown

Character Name : Writer's Circle Participant

Original Name : Cliff Brown

Gender : Male

Rosie Flores

Character Name : Writer's Circle Participant

Original Name : Rosie Flores

Gender : Male

Jason Klassi

Character Name : Writer's Circle Participant

Original Name : Jason Klassi

Gender : Male

Valeri Ross

Character Name : Doctor

Original Name : Valeri Ross

Gender : Female

Carol Wade

Character Name : Nurse

Original Name : Carol Wade

Gender : Male

Lisa L. DeCaro

Character Name : Joy

Original Name : Lisa L. DeCaro

Gender : Male

Erica Rezac

Character Name : Little Girl

Original Name : Erica Rezac

Gender : Male

Reviews

W

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2022-06-11

_**River Phoenix shines before passing on, plus the lovely Samantha Mathis**_ Several 20-somethings try to make it in the country music business in Nashville: Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis), fresh from New York City; Connecticut cowboy Kyle (Dermot Mulroney); ditzy but genuine Southern belle Linda Lue (Sandra Bullock); and the bursting-with-creative-energy-and-confidence James Wright (River Phoenix). "The Thing Called Love" (1993) failed miserably at the box office but it's a pretty solid drama revolving around the music biz in Nashville. The film isn't redneck-y at all (not that there's anything wrong with that, lol); the people are genuine and likable, if sometimes annoying. The movie has a hip flair and is filled with newer country music (for 1993, that is). Aside from trying to make it in the music business the story naturally revolves around Kyle and James' attraction to Miranda and their ensuing rivalry. The film never cops a meanspirited vibe, despite one brawl. The viewer gets the impression that these are good, talented people who will remain friends no matter what. A couple of things make the film worthwhile, for me anyway. One is the magnetic performance of River Phoenix, who was 22 during filming. His face looks like Quorthon of Bathory (when he was in his 20s), if you're familiar with that obscure metal band. He exudes the brooding charisma of Marlon Brando, just different. Unfortunately, three and a half months after the movie's release River was found dead outside an L.A. nightclub due to an overdose. He was only 23. Samantha Mathis (Miranda) was dating him at the time. Speaking of whom, Samantha is the second key highlight of this flick wherein she even outshines Sandra Bullock. Keep in mind that this was the year _before_ Bullock's breakout with "Speed." Samantha's beauty is captured well in a couple scenes, like around the 40-minute mark when Linda Lue's beau is passed out on the bed. It's too bad Samantha never broke-out, like Sandra. Her most popular flick is arguably "Broken Arrow" (1996) and then she pretty much disappeared from feature films. A few country stars have cameos, like Trisha Yearwood and Pam Tillis. "The Thing Called Love" may not be a great country music film like "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1980) but it's pretty solid and highlighted by the brooding charisma of River Phoenix. He was great and it's a pity he died so prematurely. The film runs 1 hour, 56 minutes, with the the Director's Cut running a couple minutes longer. It and was mostly shot in Nashville, with one scene done at Graceland in Memphis and another one in Santa Clarita, California (the bus stop / cafe sequence where Miranda writes a song). GRADE: B-/B