River Phoenix

Samantha Mathis

Dermot Mulroney

Sandra Bullock

K.T. Oslin

Anthony Clark

Webb Wilder

Earl Poole Ball

Deborah Allen

Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Katy Moffatt

Jo-El Sonnier

Pam Tillis

Kevin Welch

Trisha Yearwood

Wayne Grace

Micole Mercurio

Starletta DuPois

Larry Black

O'Neal Compton

Zoe Cassavetes

Lenae King

Barry Shabaka Henley

Paul Hampton

Carol Grace Anderson

Larry K. Hirsch

Kevin Bourland

Tom Nolan

Edward Richbourg

Vernon Oxford

Merri Biechler

Barbara Harrington

Anna Thea Bogdanovich

Cliff Brown

Rosie Flores

Jason Klassi

Valeri Ross

Carol Wade

Lisa L. DeCaro

Erica Rezac

Peter Bogdanovich

Ruth A. Redfern

Steve Foley

Dianne Crittenden

Rita Riggs

John Davis

Darlene K. Chan

George Folsey Jr.

Carol Heikkinen

Jerry Ballew

Peter James

Michael Seymour

Terry Stokes

Cloudia Rebar

James E. Webb

Bob Baron

Pamela S. Westmore

Virginia G. Hadfield

Rodney Crowell

Lisa Halsey

Drama

Romance

The Thing Called Love

Paramount Pictures

Davis Entertainment

United States of America

_**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

English

The Thing Called Love Director's Cut - Trailer