Films About Country Music
Films about country music explore the lives, struggles, and successes of musicians and fans within the genre. These films often highlight the cultural and emotional impact of country music, featuring performances, personal stories, and the music itself. They delve into themes of love, loss, and perseverance, often set against the backdrop of rural America or the vibrant music scenes of cities like Nashville.
List of Films About Country Music
“Walk the Line”, 2005
Director: James Mangold
A biographical drama about the life of Johnny Cash, focusing on his early life, his romance with June Carter, and his ascent to the top of the country music charts.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts, Dan John Miller, Larry Bagby, Shelby Lynne, Tyler Hilton, Waylon Payne;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Walk the Line” on the website imdb.com
“Crazy Heart”, 2009
Director: Scott Cooper
This film follows the story of a down-and-out country music singer, Bad Blake, who tries to turn his life around after meeting a journalist who inspires him to seek redemption and a new direction in his career.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Ryan Bingham, James Keane, Anna Felix, Paul Herman, Tom Bower, Beth Grant;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Crazy Heart” on the website imdb.com
“Tender Mercies”, 1983
Director: Bruce Beresford
The story of a washed-up country singer who finds a chance for redemption and a new life when he meets a widow and her young son in a small Texas town.
Starring: Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley, Ellen Barkin, Allan Hubbard, Lenny von Dohlen, Paul Gleason, Michael Crabtree, Norman Bennett;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Tender Mercies” on the website imdb.com
“Nashville”, 1975
Director: Robert Altman
A musical drama that weaves together the lives of various characters involved in the Nashville country music scene, offering a mosaic of personal and professional struggles in the industry.
Starring: David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Timothy Brown, Keith Carradine, Geraldine Chaplin, Robert DoQui, Shelley Duvall;
Production year: 1975;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 160 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Nashville” on the website imdb.com
“Country Strong”, 2010
Director: Shana Feste
A drama centered on a fallen country music star who attempts to resurrect her career with the help of a rising young singer and songwriter, exploring themes of ambition, love, and recovery.
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester, Marshall Chapman, Lari White, Jeremy Childs, James DeForest Parker, Lisa Stewart, Jackie Welch;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Country Strong” on the website imdb.com
“Pure Country”, 1992
Director: Christopher Cain
This film tells the story of a country music superstar who grows disillusioned with his career and fame, leading him to return to his roots and rediscover his love for music and simpler life.
Starring: George Strait, Lesley Ann Warren, Isabel Glasser, Kyle Chandler, John Doe, Rory Calhoun, Molly McClure, James Terry McIlvain, Toby Metcalf, Mark Walters, Tom Christopher, Jeffrey R. Fontana, Jeff Prettyman, David Anthony, Mike D. Daily, Gene Elders, Terry Hale, Rondel Huckaby, Mike A. Kennedy, Benny McArthur, Rick McRae, Sharon Thomas, Gil Glasgow, Julie Johnson, Fred Ellis, Fred Fontana, Kristen Michaels, Evelyn Furtak, Eric Randall, Loretta Holloway, Roy Kieffer, Bob Tallman, Kennith Edwards, Mark Hanson, Rick Herod, Joseph Oliveira, Richard Phillips;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: drama, melodrama, western, music;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Honkytonk Man”, 1982
Director: Clint Eastwood
Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, this film follows a country singer during the Great Depression as he travels to Nashville for a major audition, accompanied by his young nephew.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, John McIntire, Alexa Kenin, Verna Bloom, Matt Clark, Barry Corbin, Jerry Hardin, Tim Thomerson, Macon McCalman;
Production year: 1982;
Genre: drama, comedy, western, music;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Honkytonk Man” on the website imdb.com
“The Thing Called Love”, 1993
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
A romantic drama about young aspiring singers and songwriters who move to Nashville to pursue their dreams, featuring their struggles, relationships, and the highs and lows of their musical journeys.
Starring: River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, Sandra Bullock, K.T. Oslin, Anthony Clark, Webb Wilder, Earl Poole Ball, Deborah Allen, Jimmie Dale Gilmore;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “The Thing Called Love” on the website imdb.com
“Sweet Dreams”, 1985
Director: Karel Reisz
A biographical film about the life and career of Patsy Cline, one of country music's most enduring and influential singers, chronicling her rise to fame and untimely death.
Starring: Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, Ann Wedgeworth, David Clennon, James Staley, Gary Basaraba, John Goodman, P.J. Soles, Terri Gardner, Caitlin Kelch;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: drama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Sweet Dreams” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films about country music capture the genre's rich history, cultural impact, and emotional resonance, providing audiences with an authentic look into the lives of the artists and the world they inhabit. These films, from biopics like “Walk the Line” and “Coal Miner's Daughter” to fictional narratives such as “Crazy Heart” and “Tender Mercies,” offer compelling stories that blend heartache, triumph, and the quintessential spirit of country music. They showcase the genre's storytelling prowess and its ability to reflect the human experience, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on both country music aficionados and general audiences alike.
