Blaze is a 1989 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Ron Shelton, based on the 1974 memoir, Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry, by Blaze Starr and Huey Perry. The film stars Paul Newman and Lolita Davidovich as Earl Long and Blaze Starr respectively.
| Blaze | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ron Shelton |
| Screenplay by | Ron Shelton |
| Based on | Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry by Blaze Starr Huey Perry |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Haskell Wexler |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Bennie Wallace |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $22 million[1] |
| Box office | $19,131,246 |
At the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, the film received a nomination for Best Cinematography for Haskell Wexler. However, the award went to Freddie Francis for Glory. This was Wexler's fifth and final nomination, having previously won for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and Bound for Glory (1976).
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (November 2023) |
Cast
edit- Paul Newman as Earl Long
- Lolita Davidovich as Blaze Starr
- Jerry Hardin as Thibodeaux
- Gailard Sartain as LaGrange
- Jeffrey DeMunn as Eldon Tuck
- Richard Jenkins as Picayune
- Brandon Smith as Arvin Deeter
- Robert Wuhl as Red Snyder
- James Harper as Willie Rainach
- Rod Masterson as Alexandria Daily Town Talk Reporter
Reception
editThe film received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 75% of 12 critics' reviews are positive.[2][3][4] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a "B+" on scale of A+ to F.[5][6]
Box office
editBlaze debuted at number 9 at the North American box office on its opening weekend.[7]
References
edit- ^ Blaze at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ "Blaze". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media.
- ^ Benson, Sheila (1989-12-13). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Blaze' Sizzles Even Over Low Flame". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (1989-12-13). "Movie Review - Blaze - Review/Film; 'Blaze,' a Story of a Rogue and a Stripper". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
- ^ "BLAZE (1989) B+". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20.
- ^ "Hollywood's Star Vehicles Sputter at the Christmas Box Office : Movies: 'Blaze,' 'We're No Angels' and 'Family Business' opened with high holiday hopes. Despite their six bankable male leads, the films have fallen flat". Los Angeles Times. 20 December 1989.
More significantly, 71% of the audience for "Blaze" was over 35.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
