The Thing Called Love (1993) User Reviews

River Phoenix shines before passing on, plus the lovely Samantha Mathis

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 14 August 2011]

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.

the end of River Phoenix

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 6 April 2021]

Peter Bogdanovich has had an up-and-down career. "The Last Picture Show" is considered his masterpiece, while his career has suffered in many other parts. One of his lesser known movies is this 1993 outing. "The Thing Called Love" is mainly know as River Phoenix's final movie, as he died two months after the release. As for the plot, it's about people's dreams. These young people move to Nashville hoping to make it big in the country music business. There of course will be complications.

The cast members really know how to capture the characters' complexity. All the characters get enough screen time to let their personalities develop sufficiently. The movie has some surprises in store, namely the scenes involving famous people playing themselves. But most importantly, it reminds us that country music is supposed to be about hardship and heartbreak (as opposed to who has the biggest truck). If you have a message for the world, you should sing it.

In the end, I recommend the movie. Phoenix, as well as Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney and Sandra Bullock put on fine performances.

Thanks to Peter...this film makes my wall of favorites

[RELve · 7/10 · 3 April 2006]

Thanks to Peter (Bogdonovich) for participating in this project/getting the movie re-released. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but then, even the director admits it in his interview. In fact, he points out it's rather become a "cult classic" and I agree. So truthfully, I tell those who might view these commentaries, that we seem to separate into two camps: those who enjoy the entertainment value, and those who do not.

The film was not made to create any particular lessons, change your point of view about anything, in fact, it wasn't even written in such a way that any of the "players" were gonna become famous for their roles. Nevertheless, the film creates some interesting characters, characters whom all but the coldest-hearts-would certainly pull for as the movie unfolds. Also, the actors do an amiable job of creating endearment as they evolve a bit from beginning to end. Beyond that, there is also a terrific soundtrack of country music for those who love the genre, including three versions of "Blame It On Your Heart".

I sadly look over my shoulder to the memory of River Phoenix and may now be reminded of what a talent he truly could have developed into. And again viewing the movie, I found myself more forgiving to the original headlines of how/who may have brought about his demise. Each character in this movie brought something with them that still makes me a fan. Yes, I give the movie a "7", but, as with Samantha's little song near the end of the movie, this feature is on my wall of favorite dvds to stay!. I do hope others will join me in enjoying it's return to our screens. RLjr

country music and "hipness" blend together in a great film

[primrosemoon · 24 June 2000]

I rented this movie last summer after having never even heard of it, I just picked it up because it had River Phoenix in it and he was, of course, quite the hottie :) Anyway, I've never been into country music but I LOVED this film! It deals with that whole scene and has great songs in it-- especially the one that Samantha Mathis' character writes and sings at the end. Plus the movie has one of Sandra Bullock's early performances, which is great. And yes, River also does his part to make the film very watchable! If you haven't watched The Thing Called Love, go pick it up-- you'll be pleasantly surprised.

For the performances only.

[DukeEman · 7/10 · 16 December 2011]

This is a review of the Director's Cut version.

Under the direction of Bogdanovich, this stellar cast shines through a sometimes murky script. Bogdanovich achieved this by being brave enough to film some scenes in long takes of two shots, giving us the full attention on the acting without having to distract us with edits to close ups and so on. This even allowed the actors enough space for some small beautiful moments of what seemed to be improvisation. And if it wasn't, then the scriptwriter, Carol Heikkinen, did an amazing job in capturing the quirkiness of these characters.

I couldn't keep my eyes of Phoenix playing the part of a self centered music artist who didn't know how to use his heart of gold in case it was hurt. His mannerisms remind me of Johnny Depp's style of acting. It is so pure and honest, and fun to watch.

Samantha Mathis pulled it off as the leading lady, but she had great supporting acts in the shape of the then amazing Sandra Bullock and the upcoming talents of Dermont Mulroney.

Some may argue that the director's cut may be too long and boring, but this cut definitely captures the world these characters have entered by spending more time in observing the dream they are chasing, and how that dream can sometimes run you down.

great young actors in country music soap

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 2 February 2016]

Aspiring songwriter Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis) takes the bus from NYC to Nashville. She arrives too late for an audition along with James Wright (River Phoenix). One week later, they make it to the audition as well as Kyle Davidson (Dermot Mulroney) and Linda Lue Linden (Sandra Bullock). Only James make it but the foursome start a friendship and more.

This Peter Bogdanovich film has four great young stars. In fact, River's star dims about a month after this movie's release. This seems to be set up to be a great movie. Although I like Mathis, Phoenix is probably the more compelling actor. It would be even crazier if Bullock got the Miranda Presley role. The stories are a bit soapy. The songs are fine. It's just great to see Phoenix before his early death and an up-and-coming Bullock. Otherwise, it doesn't standout more than that.

To Be Young And In Love In Nashville

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 1 March 2009]

One of River Phoenix's last film roles was as part of a quartet of performer/songwriters looking to get a break in country music in Nashville. The rest of the quartet in The Thing Called Love is Samantha Mathis, Sandra Bullock, and Dermpt Mulroney. The whole thing kind of reminds me a little bit of Stage Door in the hopes and dreams and the camaraderie shared among the hopefuls.

In the two hour running time of the film there are almost 20 musical numbers, so many the plot almost gets in the way. When the quartet isn't singing, they're acting out the usual angst romantic and professional that are common to the young. And several country stars do some musical bits here, chiefly Tricia Yearwood who sings her hit, She's In Love With The Boy.

Tricia also figures into the plot when Mulroney and Mathis break into Yearwood's car in order to leave a cassette tape of Mulroney's latest song. It sounds like something out of I Love Lucy and it all works out in the Lucy manner with Yearwood being a good sport about it. In real life, those two would have been in court with Yearwood taking a restraining order out.

The plot is pedestrian, but the music is nice, especially if you are a country and western fan.

And introducing ... Linda Lue Linden!

[dfloro · 5/10 · 19 October 2021]

If you love country music, then this movie will treat you to some real musicians, like Trisha Yearwood and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, as well as some talented young actors like Samantha Mathis and River Phoenix doing their own vocals while in character. But for my money, there is but one real reason to watch the movie, and her name is Sandra Bullock, playing the one and only Linda Lue Linden. In this movie, penned by Horton Foote and directed by Peter Bogdanovich (and not truly the best work of either man), a fairly routine plot of a girl straight off the bus from New York (Mathis) who is chasing her dream to be a successful country singer-songwriter unexpectedly has several firecrackers go off in our faces whenever Bullock bursts onto and into the scene. If you have trouble picking out the performers who will one day rule the screen (big or the small TV screen), then study what Ms. Bullock does with this relatively minor supporting character. She creates a three-dimensional, fully formed, very memorable human character out of whole cloth and bailing wire, and hence she is virtually the only thing about this movie that I do remember all these years later. The movie without her is 3-4/10, but with her I give it 5-6/10. +2 for Sandy!

Great film

[RiverPhoenix_Fan · 10/10 · 25 July 2005]

This movie is amusing, touching AND captivating the whole way through. River Phoenix' performance, from his excellent singing voice to his southern accent, made me believe he was an up and coming country western singer. Phoenix becomes the insecure yet arrogant James Wright and I believe he played this character perfectly even with the obvious personal struggles in his life. River and Samantha Mathis have palpable chemistry that makes you believe James and Miranda can save their difficult relationship. All the actors in this film did a good job and the story line is enjoyable and unique. There is not one wasted moment of screen time as every scene is filled with continuity and story-driven dialogue.

Light romantic comedy may be best enjoyed by country music fans. (spoilers)

[vertigo_14 · 6/10 · 5 May 2005]

"The Thing Called Love" was an average movie for me, but would probably be better appreciated by understanding fans of the country music genre, as the story here coincides which much of the soul in that variety of music (or at least it did before everything went pop). There may also be plenty of musical performances to enjoy, some performed well by the actors.

Samantha Mathis, plays Miranda Presley ("no relation") a rather ambitious, bold young woman (a character for which she always seems most comfortable) who, oddly enough, is a New York native who travels to Nashville to try a career in country music. There, she meets three others who are on the same path, but all eventually lead in different directions.

Though Mathis and River Phoenix (who portrays James, a sometimes hotheaded local country music success and, eventually, Mathis' on-again off-again love interest) are the primary focus of the film, the secondary character do play a significant role in the story. Sandra Bullock plays the shy (but soon, more independent) Linda Lue Linden who arrived in Nashville with the intentions of being a country singer (just like everyone else they meet in the small town), but soon has other aspirations. And Durmot Mulroney plays Kyle, who appears to make a better songwriter than a singer, and constantly vies with James for Miranda's attention.

I would rate this movie simply as average because of the lack of development of some of the characters, despite their involvement in the story, as well as the lack of a solid resolution at the end. Although the whole cast gives great performances, however (check out Anthony Clark as Bullock's boyfriend, Billy), the story is lacking in some genuine finesse somewhere. As said before, country music fans might find more to appreciate about the situation and characters.

The Man Who Wasn't There

[rsbrandt · 5/10 · 2 March 2005]

Director Peter Bogdanovich, still trying to get his career back on its feet, served up this fairly entertaining look at newcomers struggling to make it in the country music industry in Nashville. Despite the presence of talented actors Samantha Mathis, Sandra Bullock and Dermot Mulroney in the leads, this laid a colossal egg at the box office. The blame may be the high expectations for River Phoenix, who seemed to sleepwalk through much of his role. There was one scene where he was sitting at a bar and you might as well have been looking right through him for all the presence he displayed; for some reason I was reminded uncomfortably of Jan-Michael Vincent.

Good music

[pdlp · 10/10 · 26 February 1999]

Though I have never been in love with country music or movies, I like this one, it´s funny and entertaining. I consider that River was a big actor for a small role, but anyway I liked it. My frustration though was when I bought the CD, and the music was completely different from the ones on the movie, not telling that ,my favorite two songs which are the last song (performed by Samantha) and other by River are not only different versions from the movie ones but they are not part of the soundtrack!. I like Samantha, Sandra and River so, I had a good time watching it.

Gen-X goes country in this good ol' story of singin' and lovin'.

[emm · 6/10 · 8 February 1999]

Not being a legitimate lover of romantic movies, THE THING CALLED LOVE did offer some pleasurable good times. Here's a real surprise treat, a movie about the love and lifestyles of the Music City world with a bright young cast, including Sandra Bullock in her impressive character as "Linda Lue". The long-late River Phoenix deserves some special attention in his guitar & singing numbers and his interaction with Samantha Mathis, a role that is among the best remembered. I'll admit the songs aren't half bad, but a few are just forgettable. The best part worth watching is Trisha Yearwood's car break-in, and even the real T. Y. makes a brief cameo! Enjoyably entertaining in a good ol' boy & girl spectacle, but for two hours, the experience tends to run too long. A pretty good movie, but I'll pass. Perfect for the leather & boots crowd.

let the music do its own talking

[neolovestrinity831 · 1/10 · 27 September 2005]

I watched this movie late one night when there was nothing else on the TV, opening was quite good but from the minute Samantha Mathis's character met the whole gang i was fighting with the character over her choices, i know that river phoenix is a god in a lot of peoples eyes but his character was so unbelievable, the reasons the scriptwriters gave for why he didn't call her were ludicrous, the only character to end up alone was the only one that deserved to be with someone and Samantha Mathis was a bad choice of country singer, along with river and his "long" hair, i felt this movie was outdone by the songs in it, seemed like a showcase for country music, and if all they had done was sat and sing the songs from start to finish i would have been much happier.

Samantha Mathis at her best

[caspian1978 · 2 January 2005]

Not really a story about generation x, although the cast is young and as fresh as it can be for 1992 / 1993. This is the story about youth, music and growing up an Elvis fan. More than that, it is a story about friendship and young love. Kind of like an Elvis movie, without the bad country music. Samantha Mathis gives one of her better performances here as the young girl from NYC who wants to be the next country singer out of Memphis. Much like the rocky career of the later (great) River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis has disappeared. Although she is not dead, like some people, Samantha Mathis fell off the radar screen to be in a number of independent films. Here, she is fun to look at and even more, she is one of the reasons why this movie is still good. Even if you don't like country music, this is worth watching.

River is an owl god

[noonoonomore · 7/10 · 11 April 2017]

It's a shame that people would call whatever they don't like "The Worst". This movie isn't the best, but it has its own good parts.

You see, if you are a River fan then you need to watch it because he is hot beyond imagination in this, there's 2 stars just for that, because I couldn't keep my eyes off of him for his whole style was a delight to look at. Yeah!

The acting isn't bad, Sandra Bullock is pretty funny, Dermot Mulroney is good, Sam is pretty good and so gorgeous and River is really good as a sullen young man; so there's 2/5 stars.

I liked the music, it's catchy and I usually find myself singing them. Especially "Blame it on Your Heart" and "Until Now", so there's another 2/5 stars for a good music in a kinda musical movie.

It's entertaining, though it could've been better. I expected better love scenes for a rom-com, the story could've been more together and more mature even as a story about some confused young souls.

You can watch it and not be bored if you're looking for an average romantic comedy.

This "Thing's" called pretty unrealistic.

[Iammymothersdaughter2 · 7/10 · 15 November 2001]

It was really exciting to know that a major motion picture was going to be shot in and around my adopted hometown. The fact that many Country Music artists were going to be included in the cast further "upped" the buzz back when this film first came out. Unfortunately that buzz quickly turned in to a full fledged razzberry when we locals starting going to the theaters.

The story falls flat on its face on many levels. The unrealistic portrayal of what its like to come to Music City pursuing a career in the industry was disappointing at best. The silly, one dimensional love story between Mr. Phoenix's and Ms. Mathis' characters left you with a sort of sick feeling, like when they put way too much of that butter stuff on your popcorn. The acting was not the problem here - it was the material that these actors were given.

On a brighter note, the inimitable K.T. Oslin most assuredly rocked in her role as the hostess of the BlueBird's open mic night - and her character was very true to life of the real hostess at this legendary place. Sandra Bullock's character was a little crazy bit of comedy relief thrown in to the mix. Ms. Bullock was fresh, fun and believable in her part, as she usually is. On the strength of Ms. Oslin's and Ms. Bullock's performances, I gave this an overall rating of 7. If you're a music industry hopeful looking to this film to give you an idea of what to do when you get here - keep looking. If you're a big K.T./Sandra B. Fan, you'll probably find this film tolerable like I did.

Reflections on The Thing Called Love

[dollywest · 7/10 · 16 July 2017]

I've enjoyed watching this movie ever since I discovered it in about 2007, years later than its release. The actors and music have much charm, and somehow it works despite a confusion as to whose story is being told. For a long time now, I've wanted to re-write the ending, to make it more consistent with the characters as they are presented... More recently, I realized I'd like to go back to the drawing board and write it as it should have been written, given the star billing of River Phoenix, his charisma and the power of his music. It ought to be his story from start to finish, the boy who listened to cheating songs in his father's truck... It can't be re-made with those actors, and it remains a poignant record of what River Phoenix could do, and what he might have done. The other main actors, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, and Sandra Bullock are always interesting to watch, as are all the supporting cast, and in particular, K.T. Oslin as Lucy. I recommend this movie as a wonderful trip down memory lane and a tug-at-the-heart glimpse of the most promising young talent.

Thing Called a Terrible Movie

[ahj2b · 1/10 · 30 March 2006]

This is one of the most surprisingly bad movies I've ever seen. To think that the same man that directed The Last Picture Show also did this makes one wonder. I just rented the Director's Cut and deeply regret the spent time and money. Interestingly enough Sandra Bullock and Dermot Mulroney are the only remotely positive aspects of the entire film. Way too much praise has been given to River Phoenix for this role. I'll be the first to say that River Phoenix was an incredibly terrific actor in some films, but this film does not qualify. The supposed chemistry between Mathis and Phoenix is shockingly forced and unrealistic. The film is generally boring and meanders pointlessly for an excruciating 2 hours. I should mention that I was born and raised in Nashville and while the film isn't necasarily offensive in it's idea of what the city is like, it is obscenely unrealistic and a bit stereotypical (to clarify; the line-dancing party the characters attend, I don't think they really exist.

Unfairly forgotten

[jellopuke · 8/10 · 23 September 2018]

A very well made and true to life romantic comedy with realistic situations and characters and catchy songs. The story is bittersweet and without easy answers yet still satisfying. Criminally underrated piece of Bogdanovich's career.

Great material, strong actors, but not much going on here...

[secondtake · 5/10 · 5 December 2010]

The Thing Called Love (1993)

Whatever happened to Peter Bogdanovich? He directed several really deeply felt, nostalgia filled, honest films in the late 60s early 70s. But he had some duds, too, and that seems to be his long term groove, as if he was more comfortable loving movies (he's a buff, an historian, an insider critic) than making them. This one has the stuff for a heart-tugging drama filled with Americana, but it is slow, downright clumsy at times, and improbable.

The latter is fine, of course--it's a fiction movie--but it wants to seem real, too, not fantastic. It depends too much on pretty people, so that's false, but these pretty people are trying to make it in Nashville as singer-songwriters, which is a fantasy after all, so who knows? The marriage in the mini-super market is pretty great, I have to admit.

What works best, oddly enough (but no surprise), is Sandra Bullock, who plays her part with conviction. The music is supposed to be amateur and downright bad, but it's not bad enough to laugh at (and not good enough to enjoy). A bad spot in the middle. But then there's River Phoenix. Who knew he could actually play?

Ah, but some plot is in order, something beyond the obvious. It's supposed to be a dream come true or something, but it just holds no water. If you love country music, there's something here, the general scene, the background, but that's not enough.

Great Music Movie

[RJK-8 · 9/10 · 6 March 2000]

This movie didn't get much notice when it opened, but it's a really fun "slice of life" look at young singer-songwriters trying to make it in Nashville. River Phoenix and Samantha Mathis really got into their roles, and the rest of the cast fill in nicely. The music they make, plus all the rest of the music on the soundtrack, and the cameo appearances by such folk as Jimmy Dale Gilmore, make it a pleasure.

Spaced out River Phoenix

[eb999 · 6/10 · 19 October 2021]

This film's premise and cast really appealed to me - until I watched it. All the actors were excellent except River Phoenix. He was clearly so drugged out that he totally wrecked any sympathy or empathy for his character. It was hard to believe that any smart woman would be drawn to him. He should have been fired from the part early on. Dermot Mulroney would have been great as the main lead with another sober actor playing his former part.

Also, I rated the film a 6 only because I watched the whole thing. It's a personal rule.

Why was this film made?

[jessy_williamson · 1/10 · 16 November 2022]

I don't get it...it was 1993, basically the hight of the grunge and alternative music scene, why make this vapid stereo typed country music nonsense.

At the very least they could have moved it to Seattle, slapped flannel shirts on everyone, and make it about a coffee shop singer songwriter and River Phoenix as the sensitive rocker....

They could have used some of his original songs, he would have been way more into the role and they would have made a fortune selling the soundtrack for the next three decades...

What a waste of talent.....

Avoid at all costs unless you have an unhealthy love for bad twangy rock pretending to be country music. I'm surprised Johnny Cash didn't punch someone in the face.

Very good movie so why no DVD release?

[Patatino · 30 November 2004]

This movie is very good, it is straight and honest and true on human feelings as is miles away from the stereotyped musical comedies. Watching it is just a breath of fresh air.

The music is very good, the acting ranges form good to excellent, and director Bogdanovich displays real class touch in some scenes. Bogdanovich is very good at directing young actors, as it was very clear since his "Last Picture Show" movie of the early 70s.

The actors: Phoenix doesn't do much real acting but his presence has something magnetic to it and it's a real shame that he passed away, he would have become one of the greatest actors of today. Mathis is fresh, unmannered and straight, a real girl not a stereotype. At last! You can't say she's beautiful or sexy but man she has presence and personality, you can't but fall in love with her. Bullock plays the ingenue and she does it very well, even in this early movie she displays the acting qualities she became much appreciated for afterwards.

It is a real shame that "The Thing Called Love" hasn't been released on DVD yet. Paramount announced an October 26th, 2004 release which didn't happen. This must be a cruel joke as it's years that we are waiting for this release. Paramount executives, if you read this, please deliver this movie on DVD. I am sure that you won't regret it.