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Blaze

5.4

1,034

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Original title

Blaze

Year

1989

Running time

108 min.

Country

United States

Director

Ron Shelton

Screenwriter

Ron Shelton

Cast

Music

Bennie Wallace

Cinematography

Haskell Wexler

Producer

Touchstone Pictures

Genre

Drama | 1950s. Based on a true story. Biography

Synopsis

This movie tells the story of the latter years of Earl Long, a flamboyant governor of Louisiana. The aging Earl, an unapologetic habitue of strip joints, falls in love with young stripper Blaze Starr. When Earl and Blaze move in together, Earl's opponents use this to attack his controversial political program, which included civil rights for blacks in the 1950's. Can Earl keep Blaze and retain control of the state?

Awards: 1989: Nominated for Oscar: Best Cinematography

1989: Chicago Film Critics Awards: Nom. for Most Promising Actress (Davidovich)

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Critics' reviews

"Although Newman is a delight, the best surprise in the movie is the performance of a new actress named Lolita Davidovich, who plays Blaze Starr. She has a comfortableness in the role that is just right. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"An exceptional portrait of an oddball politician who is equal parts scoundrel and folk hero, wielding power with a quirky, almost cantankerous charm"

Peter Stack: SFGATE
"A high-spirited, though slightly botched follow-up to Shelton's appealing Bull Durham of 1988, drawing on the same combination of enthusiastic heterosexuality and cozy male bonding."

Dave Kehr: Chicago Tribune
"Shelton doesn't quite engage with the material; the picture is lame and rhythmless. Still, it's never boring, and it offers a ribald view of Southern politics"

Pauline Kael: The New Yorker
"'Blaze' is like an old-fashioned striptease - the juicy story line gets you all hot and bothered, but you end up wanting more."

Susan Wloszczyna: USA Today
"Shelton obviously wants to distill something innocent and romantic from a relationship the world saw as sleazy. A noble mission. But he's left out a few essentials — like the facts."

Peter Travers: Rolling Stone
"'Blaze' is a celebration of the sporting life, as zesty as Cajun music and as tickly as a feather boa"

Rita Kempley: The Washington Post
"If 'Blaze' is not historically or psychologically reliable, it is a reliable good time. This is a meaningless movie, but there's no arguing with Ron Shelton's skills"

Jay Scott: The Globe and Mail

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User history

Blaze

1989

Ron Shelton

5.4

(1,034)