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Songwriter
Directed by
Alan Rudolph
R
1984
1h 34m
Drama
,
Music
6.2
88%
45%
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Doc Jenkins is a country music star who's become fed up with the industry. With some help from an old friend he attempts to right some wrongs and get back at the ruthless promoter who's swindled him.
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Cast of Songwriter
Willie Nelson
Doc Jenkins
Kris Kristofferson
Blackie Buck
Melinda Dillon
Honey Carder
Rip Torn
Dino McLeish
Lesley Ann Warren
Gilda
Mickey Raphael
Arly / Harmonica (Gilda's Band)
Rhonda Dotson
Corkie
Richard C. Sarafian
Rodeo Rocky
Robert Gould
Ralph
Sage Parker
Pattie McLeish
Shannon Wilcox
Anita
Jeff MacKay
Hogan
Gailard Sartain
Mulreaux
Stephen Bruton
Sam / Roarers Band
Glen Clark
Paul / Roarers Band
Cleve Dupin
Road Manager
B.C. Cooper
Cooper
Poodie Locke
Purvis
Joe Keyes
Eddie
Amanda Bishop
Daughter #1
Kristin Renfro
Daughter #2
Sammy Allred
Disc Jockey
William Boyd
Blind Tommy's Brother
Steven Fromholz
Engineer
Johnny Gimble
Fiddle Player
Eloise DeJoria
Girl on Bus
Kate Cadenhead
Groupie
Chase Masterson
Little Girl in Bed
Joe Gallien
Electronics Engineer
Gates Moore
First Concert Hall Manager
Larry Gorham
Concert Hall Manager
Jackie King
Guitar Player
Catherine Molloy
Doc's Girlfriend
Bobby Rambo
Party Guest
Michael Reesburg
Roarer Roadie
John Shaw
Cashier
Pete Stauber
Vacuum Cleaner Salesman
Larry Trader
Golf Roadie
Priscilla Dougherty
Incredulous Woman
Bobbie Nelson
Piano (Gilda's Band)
Paul English
Drums (Gilda's Band)
Bee Spears
Bass (Gilda's Band)
Jody Payne
Guitar (Gilda's Band)
Grady Martin
Guitar (Gilda's Band)
Booker T. Jones
Keyboard (Gilda's Band)
Billy Swan
Roarers Band
Donnie Fritts
Roarers Band
Sammy Creason
Roarers Band
Tommy McClure
Roarers Band
Brad Baker
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Cara Giallanza
Girl at Party (uncredited)
Titos Menchaca
Bodyguard (uncredited)
Angela Duffy Peace
Honey's 4-Year-Old (uncredited)
John Edwin Shaw
Manager (uncredited)
Tommy Tomlinson
Cab Driver (uncredited)
J. David Wayne
Stagehand (uncredited)
Alan Rudolph
Director
Bud Shrake
Writer
Sydney Pollack
Producer
Songwriter Ratings & Reviews
Mister Arn
May 18, 2025
Having two renowned songwriters take the lead in "Songwriter" adds a layer of authenticity, providing a delightful parallel to their real-life images. This casting choice adds charm to the film, even as the plot twists into complexity and indulgence. The music unexpectedly falls short of the high expectations one might have for such a musically rooted film.
The New Yorker
Pauline Kael
Songwriter is a satirical comedy about an artist trying to break free of the crooks who are binding him, but it never loses its sense of perspective on what a wily, frisky old pirate Doc himself is.
Billboard
Edward Morris
Nelson and Kristofferson do quite well imparting interest in the frail script they have to work with. But it is Rip Torn who comes close to stealing the show...
Bay Area Reporter
Michael Lasky
The pacing is flash. bang. pop, with nonstop singing, talking, and carrying on, suggesting the manic pace entertainers on the road must endure.
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Dennis Schwartz
If you're fans of country music and especially of Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, you should love this free-wheeling road film.
EmanuelLevy.Com
Emanuel Levy
Original, if flawed film
Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Michael A. Smith
Two of the best songwriters of all time doing what they do best.
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
It's about spending some time with some country musicians who are not much crazier than most country musicians, and are probably nicer than some. It also has a lot of good music.
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