It's all about the music. The movie was based on a song's lyrics, and the scenes go from song to song, somewhat telling a story while being dominated by performances and music and scenery. This is a different type of experience, certainly independant. I loved the imagery but felt wanting for substance, which the movie does not appear to be about.
16 Reviews
false note cop
SnoopyStyle6 December 2021
Pool hustler Jesse (Michael Dorman) moves into a low-rent motel in a rough neighborhood. It's a dangerous living. He spots an escort ad in the papers and recognizes something. It's Carla (Sophia Bush) from his past.
It's a grim life. Dorman could be more downtrodden. He smiles a little too much. I do like the first act with its atmospheric danger. The movie takes a slight tonal turn with the introduction of Carla. It may work better if she joins the film sooner and she could go with him on his pool games. Then there is the cop. I can understand the attempt at a different kind of cop character. He's just in the wrong movie. He's slapstick comedy when the movie is a grim dive into the underworld. On the positive side, he's only in two small sections and one can ignore him. All in all, this is a nice vision of a grim life.
It's a grim life. Dorman could be more downtrodden. He smiles a little too much. I do like the first act with its atmospheric danger. The movie takes a slight tonal turn with the introduction of Carla. It may work better if she joins the film sooner and she could go with him on his pool games. Then there is the cop. I can understand the attempt at a different kind of cop character. He's just in the wrong movie. He's slapstick comedy when the movie is a grim dive into the underworld. On the positive side, he's only in two small sections and one can ignore him. All in all, this is a nice vision of a grim life.
The music was good
Sergiodave10 November 2021
As a movie, this is very average, but I thought the music was great, which gave it another star. The story and acting are so-so. A lot of very highly scored reviews from members of the production team, it's rating will plummet.
seeing the lyrics
ferguson-614 October 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. The opening credits inform us that the film is based on Todd Snider's 2006 song, "Just Like Old Times". This caused me to stop the film before it ever really got started. I was initially stumped ... other than Christmas and Elvis movies, what others were based on a song? I spent a few minutes thinking and came up with ALICE'S RESTAURANT (1969, Arlo Guthrie song), THE INDIAN RUNNER (1991, based on Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman"), ODE TO BILLY JOE (1976, Bobbie Gentry's song about that Tallahatchie Bridge), and of course, CONVOY (1978, CW McCall's annoying song). To my surprise, It turns out a movie based on a song is uncommon, but certainly not rare. I'm sure you can come up with others.
Director and co-writer (with first time screenwriter Craig Ugoretz) Justin Corsbie grew up in Austin, the live music capital of Texas, so it's only fitting that he would deliver a movie about a dreamer who never realizes his dream of songwriting and performing. In fact, Jesse (Michael Dorman, THE INVISIBLE MAN, 2020) probably would be considered a "loser" by most. He certainly drinks too much. Drugs are not off limits. He tells lies with ease in social situations. And he ruined the best relationship he ever had, although he was too drunk to remember how it happened. Despite those "flaws", Jesse is a pretty easy guy to like - quick with a smile and a hug.
Jesse doesn't work as hard at songwriting as he should, but he does have a knack for hustling games in pool halls. One particularly big score puts him at odds with local baddie Rollo, played by mohawked and grilled-out Dermot Mulroney, looking about the roughest he's ever looked. Once he slides out the backdoor to escape, Jesse immediately calls Carla (Sophie Bush, "Chicago P. D."), his one-that-got-away. When they meet up at his room at the Tumble Inn (as cheap as it sounds), he tells her he's on a lucky streak and "I'm doing good now". They fall into a natural and familiar rhythm of old habits that include booze and drugs. Carla knows Jesse better than he knows himself, but she can't help the attraction.
Of course, Jesse and Carla never have a smooth evening. First, Officer Zach (Brian Sacca, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET) knocks on the door after a noise complaint, and searches the room. It's another Jesse interaction that pays off later. Next, while visiting the bar where she works, Carla and Jesse cross paths with her boss Skip (Eric Roberts playing Eric Roberts) and bartender Sally (the always great Melora Walters (MAGNOLIA). And yet we knew it was only a matter of time until Rollo and his crew would track down Jesse.
The confrontation gets ugly and violent and noisy, and we meet our final key character in Louis (RZA, AMERICAN GANGSTER, 2007), who is Carla's boyfriend with a certain talent that comes in handy for Jesse. It's an odd ending befitting the characters. Filmmaker Corsbie has a feel for the underbelly of music towns like Austin, train wreck characters like Jesse, and bad seed relationships of the 'can't live with him - can't live without him' type. Extra points are scored for the FIVE EASY PIECES nod, and Ms. Bush and Mr. Dorman perform admirably. A clip of Todd Snider performing his song plays over the closing credits, and we can't help but chuckle at how the lyrics mirror what we just watched. A nice final touch.
Roadside Attractions will release HARD LUCK LOVE SONG in theaters October 15th, 2021.
Director and co-writer (with first time screenwriter Craig Ugoretz) Justin Corsbie grew up in Austin, the live music capital of Texas, so it's only fitting that he would deliver a movie about a dreamer who never realizes his dream of songwriting and performing. In fact, Jesse (Michael Dorman, THE INVISIBLE MAN, 2020) probably would be considered a "loser" by most. He certainly drinks too much. Drugs are not off limits. He tells lies with ease in social situations. And he ruined the best relationship he ever had, although he was too drunk to remember how it happened. Despite those "flaws", Jesse is a pretty easy guy to like - quick with a smile and a hug.
Jesse doesn't work as hard at songwriting as he should, but he does have a knack for hustling games in pool halls. One particularly big score puts him at odds with local baddie Rollo, played by mohawked and grilled-out Dermot Mulroney, looking about the roughest he's ever looked. Once he slides out the backdoor to escape, Jesse immediately calls Carla (Sophie Bush, "Chicago P. D."), his one-that-got-away. When they meet up at his room at the Tumble Inn (as cheap as it sounds), he tells her he's on a lucky streak and "I'm doing good now". They fall into a natural and familiar rhythm of old habits that include booze and drugs. Carla knows Jesse better than he knows himself, but she can't help the attraction.
Of course, Jesse and Carla never have a smooth evening. First, Officer Zach (Brian Sacca, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET) knocks on the door after a noise complaint, and searches the room. It's another Jesse interaction that pays off later. Next, while visiting the bar where she works, Carla and Jesse cross paths with her boss Skip (Eric Roberts playing Eric Roberts) and bartender Sally (the always great Melora Walters (MAGNOLIA). And yet we knew it was only a matter of time until Rollo and his crew would track down Jesse.
The confrontation gets ugly and violent and noisy, and we meet our final key character in Louis (RZA, AMERICAN GANGSTER, 2007), who is Carla's boyfriend with a certain talent that comes in handy for Jesse. It's an odd ending befitting the characters. Filmmaker Corsbie has a feel for the underbelly of music towns like Austin, train wreck characters like Jesse, and bad seed relationships of the 'can't live with him - can't live without him' type. Extra points are scored for the FIVE EASY PIECES nod, and Ms. Bush and Mr. Dorman perform admirably. A clip of Todd Snider performing his song plays over the closing credits, and we can't help but chuckle at how the lyrics mirror what we just watched. A nice final touch.
Roadside Attractions will release HARD LUCK LOVE SONG in theaters October 15th, 2021.
Not bad
Movi3DO17 October 2021
Whenever I hear any country songs: Country road, take me home...
A new indie romance based on some country song that I never heard of. Basically it's about this singer dude living in this town and uniting with his old lover.
In the first two acts, there were barely anything dramatic. We just see our main character drifting through life playing some billiards and interacting with other people. It should have been boring, bust somehow I enjoyed the chill vibe and the country music. It's crazy that I liked those country songs. Because of this, the movie somehow had better pacing that its plot made it out to be.
The third act was both predictable and surprising. Some characters that our main guy had beef with returned, which was entirely expected. However, then, there's a twist that bent the meaning of the scenes at the beginning of the movie. It caught me off guard, but really the twist didn't have much significance.
Another problem was the main guy. In order to make the twist work, the story could not reveal much about his past, which was vaguely told by another character.
Overall, a romance that I enjoyed more than I expected. 6.5/10.
A new indie romance based on some country song that I never heard of. Basically it's about this singer dude living in this town and uniting with his old lover.
In the first two acts, there were barely anything dramatic. We just see our main character drifting through life playing some billiards and interacting with other people. It should have been boring, bust somehow I enjoyed the chill vibe and the country music. It's crazy that I liked those country songs. Because of this, the movie somehow had better pacing that its plot made it out to be.
The third act was both predictable and surprising. Some characters that our main guy had beef with returned, which was entirely expected. However, then, there's a twist that bent the meaning of the scenes at the beginning of the movie. It caught me off guard, but really the twist didn't have much significance.
Another problem was the main guy. In order to make the twist work, the story could not reveal much about his past, which was vaguely told by another character.
Overall, a romance that I enjoyed more than I expected. 6.5/10.
Hard luck as real as can be!
melclick716 October 2021
The details of the characters were very thoughtful, it was spot on! Soundtrack was great, and of course the song that the movie is based on is an excellent tale. The color palette and cinematography was perfect. Overall I can't complain.
Music is a living, breathing element in this sure-to-be neo-noir cult classic
erickincaid15 October 2021
A gritty, slow-burn tale about the dark underbelly of everytown USA, this film tells the stories of characters who chose not to throw their fishing lines into the mainstream. Compelling characters are fueled by a finely crafted musical landscape- a dark place where the audience is rarely comfortable, and always anticipating an unwelcome knock at the door.
Buy the ticket, take the ride. Chances are you'll want to do it again.
Buy the ticket, take the ride. Chances are you'll want to do it again.
Enamored
Intermissionman_18 October 2021
Very much enjoyed this Movie. It drew me in from the First Frame and didn't let go until the Excellent Ending and Credits. Easy to latch on to all the characters and the Soundtrack is exceptional. Believable Small Town Storyline and Lead Couple. The Police Officer Actor (Brian Sacca) nails his Role !! Sadly I was only person at AMC matinee showing so my hooting and hollering at the end did not bother anyone except maybe the Projectionist who is probably a Robot ?
A Classic Indie Film
cyprianfrancis6 October 2021
Must see film!!
mpolhemus18 October 2021
I really loved this movie! I can't say enough good about it! Please go and do yourself a favor and see this one.! 💜
If you like Todd Snider, you will instantly love this movie. So many great references to this amazing troubadour!
The actors were excellent. All of them. The story will draw you in and you will find yourself feeling a lot of different emotions. Spoiler alert, it's a great ending! It will leave you with a smile.
Also, don't forget to watch the credits! There's an awesome performance by Mr Snider doing the song that this film is inspired by!
The actors were excellent. All of them. The story will draw you in and you will find yourself feeling a lot of different emotions. Spoiler alert, it's a great ending! It will leave you with a smile.
Also, don't forget to watch the credits! There's an awesome performance by Mr Snider doing the song that this film is inspired by!
Music lovers rejoice
enzo14510 November 2021
Everyone's story?
ashley-3616120 October 2021
Hard Luck Love Song is about fun, music, living, loving, sporting, hustling, fighting, losing, struggling, falling, regretting, regrouping, laughing, smiling, rekindling, understanding, forgiving, surviving, climbing and possibly thriving. I loved this movie. It is artistic, deep, light, heavy and encouraging. The movie is raw and real but also hopefully happier than it is sad? I found it entertaining from start to finish. I highly recommend it.
Must see move!
racheltemme-1500619 October 2021
Great movie!!
jenniferniewald28 October 2021
It's just simply a must watch movie! I don't usually love country music but this movie helped change my ways. It's just brilliant! Perfect for a Friday night date night cuddled up on the couch with someone you really love. It'll bring alll the best feels! Don't delay, watch Hard Luck Love Song today!
Outstanding Performances
elenaclaire7721 October 2021
A poignant character study with a great soundtrack and outstanding cast. Michael Dorman and Sophia Bush wow with their nuanced performances and electric chemistry. The supporting cast is great too. Dermot Mulroney is delightfully scary as a pool hall lowlife. An impressive first feature for director Justin Corsbie.
Awesome Indie Movie
jared-2533119 November 2021
I've always been a fan of indpendent movies in general. The soundtrack for this movie was Awesomne, especially for me, because I'm not someone whose not that big on country music. Michael Dorman & Sophia Bush both give outstanding performances & have fantastic chemistry with each other. Overall, I would recommend this film for fans of indie films.
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