I Saw the Light

Name: I Saw the Light
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance, Music, Musical
Released: March 25, 2016
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Bradley Whitford, Elizabeth Olsen, Maddie Hasson, Tom Hiddleston

2016

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Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critics

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Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Ratings

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I Saw The Light

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: March 25, 2016

Starring: Bradley Whitford, Elizabeth Olsen, Maddie Hasson, Tom Hiddleston

Summary: I Saw the Light, the story of the legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. The film chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and its ultimately tragic effect on his health and personal life. [Sony Pictures Classics]

Director: Marc Abraham

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance, Music, Musical

Rating: R

Runtime: 123 min

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Critic Reviews

Boston Globe - Peter Keough

Mar 31, 2016

Tom Hiddleston puts in a performance as Williams that ranks with that of Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in “I Walk the Line.” And Hiddleston gets to do it in a better movie. Read full review

Observer - Rex Reed

Mar 25, 2016

It’s in the music that I Saw the Light best demonstrates how a tormented man named Hank Williams revolutionized the essence of country songs into a joy embraced by millions. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

Mar 24, 2016

I Saw the Light is solid but not spectacular, a retelling of a sad story that never catches fire. Read full review

Screen International - Fionnuala Halligan

Sep 12, 2015

Hiddleston’s intense performance lends a little frisson to an otherwise familiar, if gorgeously-mounted tale about a troubled musical genius who is inevitably, gruellingly, felled by his demons. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marjorie Baumgarten

Mar 30, 2016

British actor Hiddleston transcendently captures the sound of Williams’ voice and his performative swagger, and it’s something that’s worth seeing for its amazing conjuring act. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune - Mike Scott

Mar 31, 2016

It is powerful, it is affecting and it -- that is, Hiddleston's eerily accurate performance, from start to finish -- is easily the best thing about director Marc Abraham's Shreveport-shot biopic of the country music legend. Read full review

IndieWire - Kate Erbland

Mar 23, 2016

I Saw the Light doesn't just fail to illuminate Williams' complicated life and his prodigious talent; it can't even capture the dark corners of a man with more than enough to peer into. Read full review

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User Reviews

BHBarry

Mar 27, 2016

"I Saw The Light" was written and directed by Marc Abraham based on the book "Hank Williams -The Biography". The film stars Tom Huddleston portraying the ill fated Hank Williams, the country western icon who brought his style and songs to the mainstream of American popular music with such"I Saw The Light" was written and directed by Marc Abraham based on the book "Hank Williams -The Biography". The film stars Tom Huddleston portraying the ill fated Hank Williams, the country western icon who brought his style and songs to the mainstream of American popular music with such cross-over hits as "Your Cheating Heart", "Cold Cold Heart", "Hey Good Lookin’", "Poor Old Calija" and many many more. Although the film could have delved more into the life of this marvelous singer/songwriter, it gives the audience an overview of his short life and the 6 years in it which brought him to national prominence.
Tom Huddleston, as Mr. Williams, is amazing and the actor’s own singing captures the essence of this immortal performer. Elizabeth Olsen give an outstanding performance as Audrey Williams, the wife that bore him his young son, Bocefus, who country western fans know today as Hank Williams, Jr. This is a story of a life filled with artistic success, ill health and personal failure as Hiram "Hank" Williams strived to attain a place in the world that would give him fame as well as a happy family. Sadly he achieved one but not the other. I give the film a 7.5 rating and whether the viewer is or is not a country music fan, the story of Hank Williams and his place in country music is well worth watching… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

May 10, 2016

You will know the songs but, like me, you may not know that they originated from Hank Williams. This critically underrated biography of the country singer may be episodic in its presentation, but does a decent job of informing the uninitiated about its subject. Both Tom Hiddlesone andYou will know the songs but, like me, you may not know that they originated from Hank Williams. This critically underrated biography of the country singer may be episodic in its presentation, but does a decent job of informing the uninitiated about its subject. Both Tom Hiddlesone and Elisabeth Olsen give good performances, although I have no idea how accurate they are in depicting the real people. Production values are ok, but the cinematography, whilst possibly aiming for a particular period look, is depressingly desaturated of much colour. Still, Hiddlestone has a credible voice and the scenes at the Grand Ole Opry are shot to good advantage. Overall an entertaining effort, but it is still a fair way behind the best Country music biography thus far filmed – ‘Coal miner’s Daughter’.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Apr 5, 2016

Biopics are most successful with some sort of creative approach that makes them more than a timeline recap. Unfortunately, this one (about country western singer Hank Williams) tries to hit too many high and low lights. As a result, it's a choppy chronicle that doesn't succeed well atBiopics are most successful with some sort of creative approach that makes them more than a timeline recap. Unfortunately, this one (about country western singer Hank Williams) tries to hit too many high and low lights. As a result, it's a choppy chronicle that doesn't succeed well at creating a compelling story of his career or his personal life. You could probably read Wikipedia and get the same info. Brit actor Tom Hiddleston inhabits the character, thick Southern accent and all. His performance is charismatic and his singing is impressive. There are brief performance excerpts of Williams' greatest hits and plenty of him drinking and having challenging relationships with women. The pacing stays at the same medium level throughout, which doesn't make for dynamic cinema. The whole film feels choppy and incomplete, never taking the time to create any depth and true appreciation for this talented artist.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

Apr 11, 2016

With only just a short reaction time before I knew there would be an excellent moment to leave knowing anything about I Saw the Light, the entire scenario's complicated. From watching it to leaving, and then I would know what to think about I Saw the Light, but I hardly have any reaction for it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smiyamot

Jul 8, 2016

Maybe I'm just not a fan of real country music but this movie just didn't grab me. It's always interesting to see the person behind the music you hear on the radio, but Hank's story was a yawner. Of course, this movie spanned 6 years of his life so there wasn't much to tell.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

badgerryan19

May 19, 2017

The film never really captures the time period as it should. With that said Tom Hiddleston's performance is mesmerizing. Perhaps his best performance he has ever did. Everything thing is just a backdrop to him. But the rest of the film is painfully average

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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