Roadie is a silly movie, but it has its moments. My husband & I still have our occasional brain locks. We saw this on HBO in about 1980, and hadn't seen it since, but still talked about it. We found it on DVD last month and we laughed and sometimes said oh--didn't Blondie look really good then, and Hank Williams Jr. was kinda tame. We liked it. Some times it is over the top, but most times is kinda sweet and the music is not bad, except the title version of Everything Works if you Let It (there is another version which is not so bad in the movie) by Cheap Trick. Alice Cooper is fun to watch, but not as much fun as Meatloaf, and luckily they got Art Carney to play Dad.
24 Reviews
Fun movie IF you are the right kind of person
michaeljhuman17 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I can see where many people would walk away from this movie thinking it was stupid. Well, in some ways it IS stupid. It's not highbrow after all.
Here's the skinny...
* It's a rock and roll movie (you kind of have to get rock and roll I think) * It's got Blondie (what more do you want? And the band does a cover of Ring of Fire...what more do you want??) * It's a romance of sorts, intermingled with silly craziness...you sort of have to like silly craziness in movies... * It's got the makings of a cult classic, IMO; You can revel in it's offbeat characters and plot and thinking is highly discouraged * Meatloaf is really charismatic in it...hard to not fall in love with his innocence and integrity as portrayed * The countless mispronunciations of Redfish by the promoter are great - they bring to mind Guybrush Threepwood in the computer games series Monkey Island...does he EVER pronounce it right? * What's her name is pretty damn cute
Here's what you won't get - * A coherent plot (like I say, thinking is optional) * Depth of any sort (don't go looking for it, it's a shallow movie, nothing wrong with that) * Mainstream appeal (some people will never like it, it's too offbeat, but fans of offbeat comedies may love it)
Anyway, you know who you are. Some people like offbeat rock and roll comedies and some don't. Don't bother watching it if you don't.
Here's the skinny...
* It's a rock and roll movie (you kind of have to get rock and roll I think) * It's got Blondie (what more do you want? And the band does a cover of Ring of Fire...what more do you want??) * It's a romance of sorts, intermingled with silly craziness...you sort of have to like silly craziness in movies... * It's got the makings of a cult classic, IMO; You can revel in it's offbeat characters and plot and thinking is highly discouraged * Meatloaf is really charismatic in it...hard to not fall in love with his innocence and integrity as portrayed * The countless mispronunciations of Redfish by the promoter are great - they bring to mind Guybrush Threepwood in the computer games series Monkey Island...does he EVER pronounce it right? * What's her name is pretty damn cute
Here's what you won't get - * A coherent plot (like I say, thinking is optional) * Depth of any sort (don't go looking for it, it's a shallow movie, nothing wrong with that) * Mainstream appeal (some people will never like it, it's too offbeat, but fans of offbeat comedies may love it)
Anyway, you know who you are. Some people like offbeat rock and roll comedies and some don't. Don't bother watching it if you don't.
The screenplay was playing a whole different tune
StevePulaski20 December 2011
Roadie is a slow, lackluster experience from an actor who could have the potential to do a very funny slapstick film. Meat Loaf has the charisma, attitude, appearance, and ability to play a character in a buddy comedy. Alas, Roadie is not that movie. And it's not really any movie.
The problem is a typical one for comedies in the eighties; they don't know what they want to be. Roadie could've been one of three things; a musical with performances by many great people like Alice Cooper and Hank Williams Jr., a deep character study into Meat Loaf's Travis W. Redfish character, or a buddy comedy involving one making it big, the other left to eat dust. This reminds me of Footloose in the sense that all of its intentions, when focused on their own, could've been successful. But morphing them all into one wasn't.
Travis W. Redfish (Loaf) is a Texas man who has a talent for fixing any and all pieces of equipment. Instruments, trucks, machines, etc. His unique talent gets him a job with as a roadie. The only reason Redfish takes the job is because of a sexy woman named Lola (Hunter) who basically reals him in with her eyes and along for the ride.
The musical numbers are nice, yet far too short. The acting is decent, but sub-par all around, Loaf is nice, but not fully shown, and the script is inconsistent and sometimes dreadfully boring. What could've made Roadie work? Only a major tuneup in the screenplay area? I find it surprising to read that it took four people to write this film. Maybe there was a lot of indecisiveness and compromises among them.
Starring: Meat Loaf and Kari Hunter. Directed by: Alan Rudolph.
The problem is a typical one for comedies in the eighties; they don't know what they want to be. Roadie could've been one of three things; a musical with performances by many great people like Alice Cooper and Hank Williams Jr., a deep character study into Meat Loaf's Travis W. Redfish character, or a buddy comedy involving one making it big, the other left to eat dust. This reminds me of Footloose in the sense that all of its intentions, when focused on their own, could've been successful. But morphing them all into one wasn't.
Travis W. Redfish (Loaf) is a Texas man who has a talent for fixing any and all pieces of equipment. Instruments, trucks, machines, etc. His unique talent gets him a job with as a roadie. The only reason Redfish takes the job is because of a sexy woman named Lola (Hunter) who basically reals him in with her eyes and along for the ride.
The musical numbers are nice, yet far too short. The acting is decent, but sub-par all around, Loaf is nice, but not fully shown, and the script is inconsistent and sometimes dreadfully boring. What could've made Roadie work? Only a major tuneup in the screenplay area? I find it surprising to read that it took four people to write this film. Maybe there was a lot of indecisiveness and compromises among them.
Starring: Meat Loaf and Kari Hunter. Directed by: Alan Rudolph.
Should be a cult classic
Sir_B26 February 1999
This was a great movie and if you're into American pop music culture and history I think you would enjoy this movie greatly.
Meatloaf stars as Travis W. Redfish, an engineering genius who ends up being a rock and roll roadie and gaining the reputation as the greatest roadie that ever lived. He ends up in this situation when the bus carrying groupie Lola Bouilliabase breaks down on a stretch of road near Travis' home town.
Art Carney is wonderful as Travis' father and junkyard owner and the movie is full of cameo appearances by the likes of Debbie Harry, Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper (who Lola is in love with) and has music from a wide variety of 80's artists.
I was so impressed when I saw this movie I went out and bought the soundtrack, which is a double fold out album with pictures and some background information.
I also liked the movie slogan "The Bands make it rock, but the Roadies make it roll"
I think "Roadie" is deserving of cult-classic status, but unfortunately I don't think very many people saw it. I have not seen it in a video store to buy or rent in over 10 years.
So if you do see it, grab it! (and tell me where you found it!)
Meatloaf stars as Travis W. Redfish, an engineering genius who ends up being a rock and roll roadie and gaining the reputation as the greatest roadie that ever lived. He ends up in this situation when the bus carrying groupie Lola Bouilliabase breaks down on a stretch of road near Travis' home town.
Art Carney is wonderful as Travis' father and junkyard owner and the movie is full of cameo appearances by the likes of Debbie Harry, Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper (who Lola is in love with) and has music from a wide variety of 80's artists.
I was so impressed when I saw this movie I went out and bought the soundtrack, which is a double fold out album with pictures and some background information.
I also liked the movie slogan "The Bands make it rock, but the Roadies make it roll"
I think "Roadie" is deserving of cult-classic status, but unfortunately I don't think very many people saw it. I have not seen it in a video store to buy or rent in over 10 years.
So if you do see it, grab it! (and tell me where you found it!)
An ode to hicks...
moonspinner559 November 2006
Four years after making his directorial debut with the art-house snoozer "Welcome To L.A.", Alan Rudolph shows us what he really wanted from Hollywood was to be one of the guys. "Roadie" is a frat-boy fracas complete with barroom brawls, horny harpies, Art Carney in a souped-up wheelchair...and Meat Loaf at the wheel. Meat Loaf (playing Travis W. Redfish!) is actually a rather charming presence on the screen, and perhaps in a smaller role (in a better movie) he might indeed be ingratiating, but Zalman King's script is full of stereotypical redneck humor and helpless Meat Loaf is kept wide-eyed and moronic. Alice Cooper, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Jr., and Blondie all make appearances--and all look embarrassed. They certainly should, "Roadie" is one bad trip. NO STARS from ****
Plain and simple: BAD
hellfell7924 March 2005
The first look on the cover of this picture, it looks like a good rock n roll movie. But don't let the cover fool you, or the fact that Alice Cooper and Blondie is in it. The storyline is just horrible, and so is the acting. Plain and simple: BAD
It's not a movie about a roadie, its just a thin love story, so awful that you see right through it. The only good thing about this movie, is the soundtrack.Some good songs, and that is why I give 2 out of 10. If it wasn't for the music, it would of been 0 out of 10. Meat Loaf is a horrible actor(at least he was in 1980), and the girl who plays the groupie isn't even good looking! This movie was a huge disappointment for me, because it makes a lot of good promises.
It's not a movie about a roadie, its just a thin love story, so awful that you see right through it. The only good thing about this movie, is the soundtrack.Some good songs, and that is why I give 2 out of 10. If it wasn't for the music, it would of been 0 out of 10. Meat Loaf is a horrible actor(at least he was in 1980), and the girl who plays the groupie isn't even good looking! This movie was a huge disappointment for me, because it makes a lot of good promises.
Worst ever?
paulproia10 July 2004
Where to begin? How best to describe just how awful this movie is???
Let's start with the campy hick humor. It isn't very funny. Add a bunch of musicians impersonating actors - Meat Loaf is horrible and Deborah Harry is even worse. Pity poor Art Carney, who should have known better than to do this movie.
And then there is the plot. A roadie whose life goal is to work an Alice Cooper show meets a girl whose life goal is to be a groupie for Alice Cooper. At least they get what they want...
And then, just when the movie should end, they can't come up with a more plausible last scene than a - well, I won't ruin it for you if you really want to see the movie.
There are certain actors that let you know that this is going to be a "B" movie or perhaps worse. Gailard Sartain is one of them for me - and he has a more prominent role. That's a sure sign that the movie probably won't be very good. If nothing else, the movie lives up to the low expectations - even exceeds them by being worse than poor.
Let's just say this. This is the movie against which all bad movies are compared. And none are worse than Roadie.
Let's start with the campy hick humor. It isn't very funny. Add a bunch of musicians impersonating actors - Meat Loaf is horrible and Deborah Harry is even worse. Pity poor Art Carney, who should have known better than to do this movie.
And then there is the plot. A roadie whose life goal is to work an Alice Cooper show meets a girl whose life goal is to be a groupie for Alice Cooper. At least they get what they want...
And then, just when the movie should end, they can't come up with a more plausible last scene than a - well, I won't ruin it for you if you really want to see the movie.
There are certain actors that let you know that this is going to be a "B" movie or perhaps worse. Gailard Sartain is one of them for me - and he has a more prominent role. That's a sure sign that the movie probably won't be very good. If nothing else, the movie lives up to the low expectations - even exceeds them by being worse than poor.
Let's just say this. This is the movie against which all bad movies are compared. And none are worse than Roadie.
A bonafide B-movie cult classic
suebee8812 November 2003
I'm probably one of about 5 people in the world who actually saw this in the theatres back in 1980, and I am absolutely thrilled it's now out on DVD. The film is a bonafide B-movie cult classic. Anyone who has ever lived in Austin, particularly in the pre-90's high-tech boom, will treasure the asthetics of the film. It has all the elements that make Austin the weird, unique town that it is. It totally stereotypes Texans, which makes it all the more funny to this Texan. People who don't understand Austin (or Texas) won't get the film, and probably won't like it.
High points of the film include a Hank Williams Jr./Roy Orbison duet singing "The Eyes of Texas" (the school song of the University of Texas at Austin) to break up a bar brawl; a high-speed chase through downtown Austin involving Austin police, a Lone Star Beer truck, and a limousine; and an outdoor rock concert, the "Rock N Roll Circus", featuring Blondie singing a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". Notice the racetrack to the above right of the stage, which is supposed to be located somewhere in Idaho. Austinites will recognize it as Manor Downs.
I recommend the film to anyone who enjoys a mindless, entertaining movie. Brain power is not needed to see this film, and is actually discouraged.
High points of the film include a Hank Williams Jr./Roy Orbison duet singing "The Eyes of Texas" (the school song of the University of Texas at Austin) to break up a bar brawl; a high-speed chase through downtown Austin involving Austin police, a Lone Star Beer truck, and a limousine; and an outdoor rock concert, the "Rock N Roll Circus", featuring Blondie singing a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". Notice the racetrack to the above right of the stage, which is supposed to be located somewhere in Idaho. Austinites will recognize it as Manor Downs.
I recommend the film to anyone who enjoys a mindless, entertaining movie. Brain power is not needed to see this film, and is actually discouraged.
FUN MOVIE
atomicbudd30 June 2001
Roadie is a fun movie with a chance to see some rock and rollers on the screen. Meatloaf stars and plays a roadie (big stretch there) who is great at fixing stuff and inventing things. A talent he picked up from his Dad played by the unforgettable Art Carney (the one and only Ed Norton from The Honeymooners). Well Meatloaf hits the road and helps the likes of Debbie Harry and her band Blondie, Alice Cooper, Hank Williams Jr among others. Blondie really sound great singing Ring of Fire. The movie is fun and humorous.
What You Really Want From A Cult Movie
barkingchimp27 May 2005
As an "old guy" with a nervous disposition who has enough trouble sitting through many movies once, the ultimate tribute I can give this great "on the road" rock'n'roll saga is that I watched it numerous times when it was on cable in 1981, I have watched it several dozens of times on VHS, and now that it's on DVD, I have watched it several times again. You can put a lot of mileage on this road movie. The film has a rock'n'roll backdropa backdrop we rarely see from the workingman's eye the way we do here. The movie gives us what amounts to real-world views of several 70's favorites (Meatloaf, Alice Cooper, Blondie, etc.). It has a great premise, the howling self-reliant "Everything Works If You Let It" theme. It also enjoys a background soundtrack that fires on all twelve cylinders. But what keeps me watching the film is that it is really funny in an honest, straight-forward way that we have enjoyed far too seldom since Hollywood started grinding out its cookie-cutter farces in the wake of "Airplane." The dual surprises of the film are the really solid performances put in by Alice Cooper and Meatloaf in their respective roles as rock star and roadie. I am unqualified in my admiration of this movie, but I will tightly qualify the people to whom I would suggest the film. This is a "cult" movie in the most real sense of the word and anyone who is made nervous by rock music, farce that is outside of the "Scary Movie" mainstream, or three-hundred pound leading men (Meatloaf) should avoid this movie at all costs. Also, there is a certain good IL' boy mentality at work here that will not play for some parts of the audience. But to the core audience of the film, these are not qualifications, they are recommendations. The thing I am saddest about is that the movie's soundtrack is no longer available. The soundtrack was worth having simply for the long and messy "Brainlock" which plays during one of the few really funny car chases in the history of film.
A wonderfully raucous'n'rowdy rock'n'roll riot
Woodyanders6 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Sheer, unbridled, let it all hang out somethin' crazy lunacy is the order of the day in this raucous rock'n'roll comedy which features the almighty Meatloaf in a disarmingly sweet and robust performance as Travis W. Redfish, a naive, innocent, but eager, resourceful and quick-thinking Texas hillbilly whose natural skillfulness with electronic equipment gets him a gig as a dependable roadie supreme on a frantic traveling rock show. Redfish's off-beat initiation into the sprawling fracas of the manic, anything-goes nuttiness and rootlessness of the peripatetic rock'n'roll lifestyle hooks him up with flighty underage aspiring groupie Lola Bouillabaisse (an endearingly daffy'n'dippy portrayal by thin, perky, squeaky-voiced "Porky's" film regular Kaki Hunter), who wants to surrender her virginity to Alice Cooper.
Artsy-fartsy art-house pic maestro Alan Rudolph's uncommonly boisterous, freewheeling, wild-spirited direction allows the skimpy plot to spiral delightfully out of control, punctuating the goofy, insane and increasingly surreal mayhem with mondo destructo car chases, frenzied barroom fights, divinely asinine dope humor, and hilariously crude dumb redneck gags. Besides the two terrific leads, the excellent supporting cast includes Art Carney as Redfish's cranky inventor pop, "Soul Train"'s Don Cornelious as a mean promoter, Joe Spano as a sleazy manager, Gailard Sartain as a rowdy truck driver, and Sonny Carl Davis (Cowboy in the splendid seriocomic indie sleeper "Last Night at the Alamo")as a perpetually inebriated hanger-on. Moreover, there are uniformly outstanding musical appearances by Hank Williams, Jr., Roy Orbison (in one of the movie's funniest moments Roy and Hank pacify a brawling tavern audience by breaking into an impromptu a cappella duet on "The Eyes of Texas"!), Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Asleep at the Wheel, Blondie (who do a great thrashy New Wave rave-up rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"), and, of course, Alice Cooper. In short, this gloriously gaga, sometimes downright bizarre, and frequently berserk romp certainly has the correct right-on rambunctious rock'n'roll attitude, thereby making it one of Alan Rudolph's breeziest, more accessible, most unpretentious and hence quite hugely enjoyable pictures that he's ever made.
Artsy-fartsy art-house pic maestro Alan Rudolph's uncommonly boisterous, freewheeling, wild-spirited direction allows the skimpy plot to spiral delightfully out of control, punctuating the goofy, insane and increasingly surreal mayhem with mondo destructo car chases, frenzied barroom fights, divinely asinine dope humor, and hilariously crude dumb redneck gags. Besides the two terrific leads, the excellent supporting cast includes Art Carney as Redfish's cranky inventor pop, "Soul Train"'s Don Cornelious as a mean promoter, Joe Spano as a sleazy manager, Gailard Sartain as a rowdy truck driver, and Sonny Carl Davis (Cowboy in the splendid seriocomic indie sleeper "Last Night at the Alamo")as a perpetually inebriated hanger-on. Moreover, there are uniformly outstanding musical appearances by Hank Williams, Jr., Roy Orbison (in one of the movie's funniest moments Roy and Hank pacify a brawling tavern audience by breaking into an impromptu a cappella duet on "The Eyes of Texas"!), Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Asleep at the Wheel, Blondie (who do a great thrashy New Wave rave-up rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"), and, of course, Alice Cooper. In short, this gloriously gaga, sometimes downright bizarre, and frequently berserk romp certainly has the correct right-on rambunctious rock'n'roll attitude, thereby making it one of Alan Rudolph's breeziest, more accessible, most unpretentious and hence quite hugely enjoyable pictures that he's ever made.
Rock and roll cult movie
michaelbauers16 August 2005
This movie, in my opinion has many of the features of a cult classic.
The acting is uneven, the comedy is uneven, and the plot is a cliché.
But the movie is worth watching (as a cult movie,) for a number of reasons.
1) Ecletic and enjoyable sound track including a fun cover of Ring of Fire (and you can't experience too many covers of Ring of Fire.) 2) A mix of different comic elements such as an amusing car chase, and Forest Gump like moments where Redfish is simply in the right place at the right time 3) Great rock and roll cameos 4) Occasional surreal moments, if you like that kind of thing
Another part I found refreshing was doing a rock and roll movie involving a groupie with no gratuitous sex or nudity. I have nothing against those things, but its refreshing to see a movie that had no need for them.
If you take the movie seriously for a minute, or are looking for a consistent style of humor you will be disappointed. You need to be the sort of person who likes off beat movies simply because they are offbeat.
The acting is uneven, the comedy is uneven, and the plot is a cliché.
But the movie is worth watching (as a cult movie,) for a number of reasons.
1) Ecletic and enjoyable sound track including a fun cover of Ring of Fire (and you can't experience too many covers of Ring of Fire.) 2) A mix of different comic elements such as an amusing car chase, and Forest Gump like moments where Redfish is simply in the right place at the right time 3) Great rock and roll cameos 4) Occasional surreal moments, if you like that kind of thing
Another part I found refreshing was doing a rock and roll movie involving a groupie with no gratuitous sex or nudity. I have nothing against those things, but its refreshing to see a movie that had no need for them.
If you take the movie seriously for a minute, or are looking for a consistent style of humor you will be disappointed. You need to be the sort of person who likes off beat movies simply because they are offbeat.
The Great American Movie? Yes Indeed
gordo-3129 May 1999
A movie that skips lightly between bright open plains and scuttling armadillos, dark bars, concert halls, and endless humor without breaking the soundtrack can only result in the dread brainlock. The only movie even close to this in spirit is "Get Crazy", which you probably won't see due to its open advocacy of psychoactive drugs.
great movie
dneal184 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I really loved this movie.It was very refreshing.Meatloaf was hilarious.I loved how he seemed to be out of it but focused all at the same time.He gave the term functioning alcoholic a whole new meaning.My favorite part is when he got out of the car on the plane and looked around like he just realized where he was,then opened the plane's door and saw they were in the air.Hilarious!Perfect!The musical guest stars are surprising and fun to watch,especially Blondie.I would recommend this to anyone.The part where he puts the power station together is inspiring.It auctually is possible.Of course they make it look easy but it makes you think,I could do that.The fact that he didn't even mean to be a roadie,he just sort of fell into it because he liked her is pretty funny and it makes the movie work.
The cover story
suchenwi11 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I really love this piece, which I drew for 2 from the bargain bin. Not expecting very much, I was excited from the moment the Shiner Beer truck appeared.. (Shiner Bock is my favorite brew when in TX.) But there seems to be a fatal case of mismanagement here. The original MGM DVD cover shows a cleavage and navel, and not much else, so you'd expect it to be a sex movie (though it's - justly - cleared for age 6 and older in Germany). It's just a country/rock romantic comedy, no sex please... :) I suppose it didn't sell well here. So what did management do? They added a cardboard cover around the DVD, which still had the original poster image, but framed with the words "MUSIC FILM" and some notes at top and bottom. The blurb on the back was somehow reformulated too, but obviously the mismarketing failed again. Pity for them.. lucky for me, so I could buy this cult gem for a trifle.
I enjoyed it so much, and had some laugh-out-loud moments. Meat Loaf is really convincing in all his tribulations, and Kaki Hunter has strong weird charms. Roy Orbison, Blondie and "you Cooper?" also strongly contributed to this experience, which I for the first time rank as a feel-very-good movie :) I watched it twice the first night, and will often again.
I enjoyed it so much, and had some laugh-out-loud moments. Meat Loaf is really convincing in all his tribulations, and Kaki Hunter has strong weird charms. Roy Orbison, Blondie and "you Cooper?" also strongly contributed to this experience, which I for the first time rank as a feel-very-good movie :) I watched it twice the first night, and will often again.
Meatloaf? An Actor?
PiEThO22 January 1999
I'm a rock 'n roll fan; have been since I was young. I'm also a fan of Meatloaf; for about the same amount of time; so I was surprised to find this on the shelves of my local video store.
The story is simple, a handyman meets the woman of his dreams who just so happens to be in love with Alice Cooper. Meatloaf is very convincing as the country hick (yes COUNTRY HICK) engineering genius named Redfish and while Kaki Hunter tries to pull off the excited groupie routine, she's mostly annoying.
For those of you who didn't know it, Art Carney is in this movie as Redfish's father, Corpus Redfish. He is, as always, excellent in his role as a grouchy junk yard owner.
The movie has many memorable (and unfortunately, period) cameos in it by Blondie, Roy Orbison and, of course, Alice Cooper. Cooper actually shines as a rock star and has a very interesting manner; half manager/half psycho.
I recommend this movie simply because it's a total shock. Everyone delivers solid performances and, yes, Meatloaf can act.
The story is simple, a handyman meets the woman of his dreams who just so happens to be in love with Alice Cooper. Meatloaf is very convincing as the country hick (yes COUNTRY HICK) engineering genius named Redfish and while Kaki Hunter tries to pull off the excited groupie routine, she's mostly annoying.
For those of you who didn't know it, Art Carney is in this movie as Redfish's father, Corpus Redfish. He is, as always, excellent in his role as a grouchy junk yard owner.
The movie has many memorable (and unfortunately, period) cameos in it by Blondie, Roy Orbison and, of course, Alice Cooper. Cooper actually shines as a rock star and has a very interesting manner; half manager/half psycho.
I recommend this movie simply because it's a total shock. Everyone delivers solid performances and, yes, Meatloaf can act.
one of the few great rock 'n' roll movies
heyeron23 April 2000
I saw this movie in the theatre (independant movie house), in 1980. I loved it. It is a very fun movie, filled with the rebellious spirit of rock & roll. I hope, by some miracle, it comes to DVD. With all the great music, this movie would make a great sountrack (isolated score, hmmm).
Slows a bit, but a great movie to listen to while doing something else.
poor_shaggy6 March 2005
The movie slows down abit after the Austin bar fight scene. But before, the movie is tight and has good dialog. I probably am biased because I am from Texas.
Everything from Roy Orbinson, to the Shiner beer truck to the armadillos, and especially to Muhamed Johnson mispronouncing Redfish's name is great. Other than King of the Hill it is probably the best caricature of Texas that I have seen.
Now as a band cameo movie it isn't that great but Meatloaf in brainlock is worth watching just to hear what he says.
It's a classic in my opinion.
Everything from Roy Orbinson, to the Shiner beer truck to the armadillos, and especially to Muhamed Johnson mispronouncing Redfish's name is great. Other than King of the Hill it is probably the best caricature of Texas that I have seen.
Now as a band cameo movie it isn't that great but Meatloaf in brainlock is worth watching just to hear what he says.
It's a classic in my opinion.
Horrid Screenplay but the Music is Good
Michael_Elliott8 September 2011
Roadie (1980)
** (out of 4)
Travis Redfish (Meat Loaf) is a man who can fix anything so he's hired by a promoter to become a roadie and make sure a rock and roll show keeps going without issues. Lola (Kaki Hunter) is a virgin groupie who wants to land in NYC so that she can give herself to Alice Cooper (who plays himself). ROADIE was one of many musicals that went down as a major flop back in the day but looking at the picture today you can't help but find it somewhat charming and of course there's all the major talent on display. I think the biggest problem can be spotted in the opening credits when you see that four different people are credited with the story. This "story" appears to have about four different sides and all of them are fighting against one another and in the end you're really left with a movie that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. On one hand, you have a behind the scenes look at a rock show on tour but the thing is so tame that you really do feel as if you're watching something that has been watered down. On another hand you have a groupie getting used to the road but Meat Loaf's character is so full of holes that you have a hard time making any sense out of him. Another problem with the story is that Loaf's character goes "crazy" at times and apparently this is from an earlier UFO abduction but this subplot is just downright annoying. The story goes off in so many directions that you're head will be hurting by the time it's over or you at least be sitting there wondering why they couldn't have just left the spotlight on some of the music acts. Hank Williams, Jr., Blondie, Asleep at the Wheel, Roy Orbison, Jack Elliott and The Pleasant Valley Boys are just a few of the acts that appear and most of them give good performances. We even get a duet between Williams and Orbison, which is certainly worth sitting through. Cooper gets the biggest role of any of the musical acts and he has proved that he can be a very reliable actor and his charm is certain quite high here. One wishes that he had been given even more screen time as he's quite funny here and we also get a couple songs including Only Women Bleed. Meat Loaf also delivers a pretty likable performance as he certainly makes you entertained by his character even though it's underwritten. Hunter is also good in her role. Art Carney appears of Loaf's father but he's sadly wasted. ROADIE is a pretty bad movie due to its bad screenplay but at the same time fans of the musical acts should be somewhat entertained with the music alone. There's a good film somewhere in here but sadly it just goes off in way too many directions.
** (out of 4)
Travis Redfish (Meat Loaf) is a man who can fix anything so he's hired by a promoter to become a roadie and make sure a rock and roll show keeps going without issues. Lola (Kaki Hunter) is a virgin groupie who wants to land in NYC so that she can give herself to Alice Cooper (who plays himself). ROADIE was one of many musicals that went down as a major flop back in the day but looking at the picture today you can't help but find it somewhat charming and of course there's all the major talent on display. I think the biggest problem can be spotted in the opening credits when you see that four different people are credited with the story. This "story" appears to have about four different sides and all of them are fighting against one another and in the end you're really left with a movie that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. On one hand, you have a behind the scenes look at a rock show on tour but the thing is so tame that you really do feel as if you're watching something that has been watered down. On another hand you have a groupie getting used to the road but Meat Loaf's character is so full of holes that you have a hard time making any sense out of him. Another problem with the story is that Loaf's character goes "crazy" at times and apparently this is from an earlier UFO abduction but this subplot is just downright annoying. The story goes off in so many directions that you're head will be hurting by the time it's over or you at least be sitting there wondering why they couldn't have just left the spotlight on some of the music acts. Hank Williams, Jr., Blondie, Asleep at the Wheel, Roy Orbison, Jack Elliott and The Pleasant Valley Boys are just a few of the acts that appear and most of them give good performances. We even get a duet between Williams and Orbison, which is certainly worth sitting through. Cooper gets the biggest role of any of the musical acts and he has proved that he can be a very reliable actor and his charm is certain quite high here. One wishes that he had been given even more screen time as he's quite funny here and we also get a couple songs including Only Women Bleed. Meat Loaf also delivers a pretty likable performance as he certainly makes you entertained by his character even though it's underwritten. Hunter is also good in her role. Art Carney appears of Loaf's father but he's sadly wasted. ROADIE is a pretty bad movie due to its bad screenplay but at the same time fans of the musical acts should be somewhat entertained with the music alone. There's a good film somewhere in here but sadly it just goes off in way too many directions.
One of my favourite movies!
robynh-48 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
To the people who gave this diamond in the rough a 1 to 5, go back to the hole where you crawled from! I watched this movie last year on MGM and I just fell in love with it instantly and is now one of my favourite movies. I've watched it with my sister and my close friend a few times and they both think it's great as well. Here's what it's all about: charming and bumbling trucker Travis W. Redfish is out on a truck drive one day with his best friend, fellow trucker B.B Muldoon. They come across a broken down caravan belonging to some band management people and wacky Alice Cooper lovin' groupie, Lola, who Travis just falls for at first sight. He gets them to Austin where the're supposed to go but get threatened that if they don't set up the band's gear in time Muhumad Johnson-"the ring leader of the rock n' roll circus" will "rape their careers". Travis saves the day and soon finds himself as a roadie (hence the title) for Mahumad's circus. All the while he tries to woo Lola but she keeps going on about how much she wants to lose her virginity to Alice Cooper. Will Travis win Lola's heart or will she run off with Alice Cooper? If you haven't seen this movie go and see it now. Ya won't be disappointed.
Magnificent Musical Masterpiece
gf-784 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Just stumbled upon this movie by chance. What a great musical time piece it turned out to be! Nonsensical, quirky road movie with Meat Loaf (excellent acting), Blondie and others in a B-movie made for the ages. Keep an eye out for cameos, there a a handful not emphasized or dwelled upon. Heard of The Blues Brothers? Don't blink and you might see them (both movies came out the same year).
The movie stinks, but the soundtrack is fascinating!
Infofreak10 March 2003
'Roadie' is an absolutely awful and unfunny road movie about a country hick (Meatloaf) who inadvertently becomes "the world's best roadie" while pursuing a wanna-be groupie (Kaki Hunter) whose ambition is to lose her virginity to shock rock legend Alice Cooper. Cooper plays himself and performs, as do Hank Williams, Jr, Blondie and Roy Orbison. The rest of the very odd cast includes 'The Honeymooners' Art Carney (as Meatloaf's Dad), Joe Spano ('Hill Street Blues') as a clueless road manager, and 'Soul Train's Don Cornelius as a flamboyant promoter to name just a few familiar faces. Also keep an eye out for a very brief appearance by Kurtwood Smith ('Robocop'/'That '70s Show') in a gaggle of security guards who chase Meatloaf towards the end of the picture. The eclectic cast is one of two reasons to sit through this crud. The other, main reason is the soundtrack which is an eclectic and interesting musical snapshot of Top 40 America circa 1979/1980. Cheap Trick's obscure 'Everything Works If You Let It' is the unofficial movie theme, and their 'Gonna Raise Hell' also features. Blondie cover Johnny Cash's 'Ring Of Fire', which is lots of fun. Alice Cooper performs with members of Utopia. Roy Orbison duets with Crystal Gayle. And we also hear Styx, Eddie Rabbitt, Joe Ely and The B52s. The only thing missing is Devo! Most movie goers will find 'Roadie' a pointless exercise, but obsessive musical nerd record collector types (like me) will be entertained. The movie stinks, but the soundtrack is fascinating!
Good snapshot of late 70s rock and roll
jack_clubs19 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, so I am a huge Cheap Trick fan and they do the title song on this movie. Not my favorite CT song, but as a huge fan, I felt the need to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. Having no expectations, it turns out Roadie is a fun snapshot of late 70s/early 80s rock and roll.
Meatloaf is enjoyable to watch as the lovable cowboy, who goes along with a rock show as their go-to fix-it man. All for the love of a 16-year-old groupie. (Did anybody else have a problem with this? I was trying to remember if there were pedophile laws back then. Contrary to the fleshy movie poster, there is nudity in this movie.) Other fun roles are by Art Carney, Don Corlenlous, Joe Spano and of course, all the music stars. It's always great to see famous musicians in movie roles, where you don't expect them to be great actors, but more of just themselves. Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and Hank Williams Jr. all seems to be having fun and go along with the breezy plot.
The music scene at the time of this movie (1980) was at a crossroads. Mainstream rock and country were up against disco (thankfully, not in this movie), punk and new wave. The soundtrack reflects this - a perfect example is Blondie's cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. I really wish Meatloaf would have had a chance to sing some of his classics. But the rest of the music is good enough to forgive some of the silly plot moments and acting. I need to try and find the soundtrack, which I hear is out of print. Does anyone know if a CD was ever released?
7 out of 10 stars for a fun trip back in time when rock and roll was a little bit more honest. The life of a roadie can be interesting when you have to keep the circus moving. Roadie definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, which is what a good rock and roll movie should do.
Meatloaf is enjoyable to watch as the lovable cowboy, who goes along with a rock show as their go-to fix-it man. All for the love of a 16-year-old groupie. (Did anybody else have a problem with this? I was trying to remember if there were pedophile laws back then. Contrary to the fleshy movie poster, there is nudity in this movie.) Other fun roles are by Art Carney, Don Corlenlous, Joe Spano and of course, all the music stars. It's always great to see famous musicians in movie roles, where you don't expect them to be great actors, but more of just themselves. Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and Hank Williams Jr. all seems to be having fun and go along with the breezy plot.
The music scene at the time of this movie (1980) was at a crossroads. Mainstream rock and country were up against disco (thankfully, not in this movie), punk and new wave. The soundtrack reflects this - a perfect example is Blondie's cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. I really wish Meatloaf would have had a chance to sing some of his classics. But the rest of the music is good enough to forgive some of the silly plot moments and acting. I need to try and find the soundtrack, which I hear is out of print. Does anyone know if a CD was ever released?
7 out of 10 stars for a fun trip back in time when rock and roll was a little bit more honest. The life of a roadie can be interesting when you have to keep the circus moving. Roadie definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, which is what a good rock and roll movie should do.
Meat Loaf's freak show
drosse6721 February 2003
What can be said about a movie where Meat Loaf plays the most intelligent and sanest character? Maybe that was the one joke of Alan Rudolph's endurance-testing and thoroughly bizarre comedy. The characters here are totally unappealing and Meat Loaf doesn't even sing (except for one brief moment for a characteristic "duel" with the female lead, which is the high point of the movie). The rock star cameos--Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jr., Alice Cooper, Blondie--look uninspired, as if Rudolph had no idea what to do with them. Only Debbie Harry and co. seem to be making the most of this mess, but even they look baffled. I have nothing against the "free form" style that Rudolph appeared to be aiming for--a movie with a real "rock and roll" spirit. But Rock and Roll High School (which came out one year before this) and Almost Famous (which came out 20 years later) did this much better mainly because the characters were interesting and likeable and we really cared about what happened to them. In this movie, we get a bunch of drunken, whacked-out rednecks with bad teeth. The final shot of the film sheds some light on the strange 90 minutes that preceded it, and Meat Loaf manages some inspired moments. But all in all, this is just a few notches above the "awful" mark and nothing like Rudolph's restrained later work.
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