X
- 2021
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 44 m
- 2021
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 44 m
Summary Jesse (Michael Dorman) is a charismatic but down on his luck troubadour who finds himself at an existential crossroads as bad choices catch up with him during an unexpected reunion with Carla (Sophia Bush), an old flame.
Directed By: Justin Corsbie
Written By: Todd Snider, Craig Ugoretz, Justin Corsbie
- 2021
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 44 m
- 2021
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 44 m
Hard Luck Love Song
56
7.2
Where to Watch
Summary Jesse (Michael Dorman) is a charismatic but down on his luck troubadour who finds himself at an existential crossroads as bad choices catch up with him during an unexpected reunion with Carla (Sophia Bush), an old flame.
Directed By: Justin Corsbie
Written By: Todd Snider, Craig Ugoretz, Justin Corsbie
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
56
50% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
38% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
13% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
56
50% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
38% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
13% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Hard Luck Love Song is a happy but gritty marriage of material, filmmaker and star. Much is asked of Dorman, and he delivers all.
Justin Corsbie’s debut would buy you a drink if you couldn’t afford one, hustle you for a hundred bucks in the backroom if you could, and leave you with a big hug on the way out either way just cause it was so grateful not to spend the night alone.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.2
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.2
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
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
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Michael Dorman (virtually unrecognizable and about 40 pounds lighter than when he played Gordo Stevens in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind) channels James-Dean-meets-Stephen-Dorff in a mesmerizingly good performance as Jesse, a charming bounder who has a good heart and some talent as a singer-songwriter but is always getting in his own way and stepping in some serious, um, stuff.
Based on the folky country song “Just Like Old Times” by Todd Snider, the film feels like a throwback to the heyday of Austin: eclectic acoustic guitars, dingy pool halls, dive bars with fountains of whiskey, neon signs, and lots and lot of late-night tacos.
Corsbie has filmmaking energy to spare but also makes many undergrad errors.
There’s a wealth of talent involved in this film, not the least of which is Snider himself. Unfortunately, Hard Luck Love Song doesn’t capture the essence of the musical source material, though one could argue there isn’t much emotional heft in the song to begin with.
Instead of persuasive verisimilitude and compelling character development, we get scene after scene of Jesse waiting for something, anything.
Superb acting and beautiful cinematography meet a gritty storyline in this current urban thriller with all the edge if a saber. Friends and neighbors - that's a lot of edge ! And Listen -this soundtrack is among the best ever, with obscure blues, rock and roll and modern folk - American music ! You may just fall in love - or end up in jail. Get your ticket, you will enjoy the ride !
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Very enjoyable and a really good soundtrack. Great acting as well. Well worth the time invested.
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Production Company
Dime Box Entertainment,
Synthetic Pictures
Release Date Oct 15, 2021
Duration 1 h 44 m
Rating R
