The Buddy Holly Story (1978) 7.2
The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death. Director:Steve Rash |
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The Buddy Holly Story (1978) 7.2
The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death. Director:Steve Rash |
|
0Share... |
Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Gary Busey | ... | ||
Don Stroud | ... | ||
Charles Martin Smith | ... | ||
Conrad Janis | ... | ||
William Jordan | ... | ||
Maria Richwine | ... | ||
Amy Johnston | ... | ||
Dick O'Neill | ... |
Sol Gittler
(as Dick O'Neil)
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Fred Travalena | ... | ||
Neva Patterson | ... | ||
Arch Johnson | ... | ||
John F. Goff | ... |
T.J.
(as John Goff)
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Gloria Irizarry | ... | ||
Jody Berry | ... | ||
Richard Kennedy | ... |
The musical career of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly is chronicled, from the days when "Peggy Sue" was "Cindy Lou", a song about his first girlfriend, to the meteoric run of "That'll Be the Day" up the charts, to his marriage, breakup with the Crickets, reunion with the Crickets, and untimely death. Written by Jason A. Cormier <wildrose@mindspring.com>
This film set the standard for all rock biopics to follow. It accomplished this through the energetic performances of the leads, the steadiness of the camera-work (avoiding 'rock-video' clichés that were actually invented for the Beatles in their first two films), tight editing, and a non-judgmental presentation of the star as human being rather than symbol or god (or demon). Yes, there are minor holes in the plot, and incidental details that are a little unnecessary, and there will always be debate between families of those personally involved as to specifics. But the issue here, as in the much more recent "I walk the Line" or Carpenter's famed TV Elvis biopic of the same era, is whether the meaning of the performer's life, in its time and place, as a catalyst for fans' ideals and appreciation, is made manifest in the performance, and this is clearly the case here. We come away from this movie understanding not only how Buddy Holly became a star, but why. I don't see what else one could want from the film.