Just wait. In another month or two, we’ll have reached Peak Dragonfly and we’ll be sick of him. These days, though, we’re still in a Hiddlesdrought where anything Tom Hiddleston does or says becomes major news (for Dragonflies). Tom is about to begin promotional work in Toronto, which is where I Saw the Light and High Rise will premiere. Ahead of those big premieres, they’ve finally gotten around to releasing one little clip from ISTL. BEHOLD, Lord Dragonfly singing with a twang:
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the first clip from I SAW THE LIGHT. @TIFF_NET tomorrow! #MoveItOnOver
https://t.co/0xC30AghNF
— Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) September 10, 2015
Are you into this? I’ll include the original Hank Williams song below. I think Tom is trying his best. While my first reaction was “WTF?” to his singing voice, now that I’ve listened to it back-to-back with the original Williams recording, I don’t think it’s that bad at all. Now I’m mostly just wondering why it seemed like Tom was looking directing into the camera? Incidentally, we’re also getting our first listen at Elizabeth Olsen’s twang. She doesn’t sound too bad. This clip is set in 1947, just before Williams “transitioned to life at home with Audrey Mae” (played by Olsen).
Photos courtesy of WENN, stills courtesy of ‘ISTL’.
I’d be more interested in hearing his speaking voice. He doesn’t really have the full twang but it’s not half bad….then neither did Joaquin for Walk the Line, it never not sounded like him doing Johnny Cash well and I felt he did a fantastic job. It’s not Stars in The Eyes (the UK CBs will get that reference).
Are people going to be as hyper aware of what Elizabeth’s accent should be or can she get away with just a stereotypical Southern accent?
(how do Celebitches feel about Cumby’s accent in the recent Black Mass clip?)
The singing is fine…I agree we’ll have to see some more dialogue to decide about the accents.
That short soundbite of Olsen sounds like she’s doing a combination of Daisy Duke meets Antebellum Relic.
This should be interesting: my mom says that Hank’s wife couldn’t sing.
She couldn’t. You can have a sample here. Listen around 1:50:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36n-eNT2Y34
Although i prefer not to mix the two on threads, as a Bostonian who has worked with William Bulger, I have long maintained that that tall man was miscast as Bulger. I expected bad accents and Depp, carrying over his bad accent from Blow, did not disappoint in that regard. I can’t figure out what Edgerton is doing, his accent is all over the place. But the otter’s accent is particularly atrocious and raises the question for me whether he even bothered to listen to the man he was portraying instead of relying on some non-Bostonian accent coach’s take on a stereotypical Boston street thug, which William Bulger, an educated by Jesuits triple Eagle (BC High, BC, BC Law) is not.
Now, I return to happy thoughts of my darling husband Tom and wash all thoughts of blackboard scratching from my mind with a mimosa.
Continuing on the topic of accents: for the other Boston film soon to be released: Spotlight. Michael Keaton’s is laughably bad. Ruffalo doesn’t seem to be going for it, which is fine. John Slattery is local any way. Haven’t heard enough of Rachel MacAdams yet. Billy Crudup just smiles in the trailer so I can’t tell how close he has come to the accent of sleazy Eric MacLeash, against whom I’ve tried cases.
I don’t think that’s true. You’re always bringing up Benedict in Tom threads and Tom in Benedict threads. Always comparing the two. Always lavishing praise on Tom (even when its undeserved, like here) while bashing Benedict. It would be comical if it weren’t so pathetic and pathological.
Need more clips to see if Tom gets the accent right. The singing though…yeah, not as impressed. My grandfather was a HUGE Hank Williams fan (Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn too), so I grew up listening to classic country. Both my grandfather and I both loved “Walk the Line,” even if j. Phoenix’s accent went in and out, the singing and the acting were spot on. I’ll probably go and see this, just because I’m interested in Hank’s story, not because Tom’s in it.
I agree. Although he sounds just fine, I feel like I could do a more convincing impression than this. The accent sounds off in the singing, but maybe his speaking will be better. Either way, I’ll probably still see it.
I think the key here is also that singing can be auto-tuned, speaking cannot. If your accent is horrible, as discussed above, it will show most readily in your speaking voice, not your singing.
Agree, Lindy79, I thought the singing was fine, but am interested to hear him speak. That will be more telling. I’ll probably see it, because, like H, I’m interested in the story.
I think the director said he was not going for a pure imitation but not sure why but in other singer doing bios quite often take that approach
Praise from the Guardian…
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/11/tom-hiddleston-hank-williams-film-singing-measure-up
I finally listened to both the snippet and the Williams tape– I think he sounds eerily similar. Perfection is too much to ask and not the point, but if his goal was to really channel Hank, I think he is doing a reasonable job.
And yes, NOTHING is going to Please Hank III.
The issue is the body language actually. Hiddleston is so tight in that clip. Southern men are smooth and relaxed , kind of like lazy tabby cats on a prowl.
Hiddleston reminds me of a big cat like a jaguar or panther as Loki. But here he is not any kind of a cat , he is so wooden. He looks like he is trying too hard, honestly. It looks like he is putting a lot of effort into singing and so he is having hard time doing the rest of acting.
I liked Olsen.
That’s a really good observation, and I’d agree he does look like he is working very hard. His earnestness is almost to much.
And though he does the skinny thing well, I think he looks too healthy and fit to be HW. From what I understand that man was a physical mess. In every way, and TommyAnnE is so… gym perfect.
I couldn’t figure out why Tom looked so intense in that clip, but I think you’re onto something. Perhaps he was focused on is singing and playing to the point that he couldn’t relax.
I know and I’m singing and playing piano I can never do both well. One always suffers because I can’t multitask! I can’t sing and play loosely, so perhaps that’s what we’re seeing with Tom.
I have only seen two reviews and they are dire. According to Rotten Tomatoes it would be his first turkey, so fair enough, it happens to everyone.
Not his turkey, the director’s. Reviews are fairly unanimous on the high quality of his performance.
the reviews are not good-Tom is always praised but the writing and structure is criticised.Some criticiscm of his accent but that may have been choice.Variety was the worst
I recall ladies who were more familiar with Tom’s larger body of work — that isn’t available to us outside of the UK — saying here that Tom didn’t have any duds in his CV. Whether or not that is true, I don’t think anyone really distinguishes if the dud is due to bad script, direction, editing or acting.
I does happen to everyone, no matter how successful they are and they move on to the next project. Look at Depp — he’s had nothing but duds other than PotC and now he’s being talked about for an Oscar. Tom has the grace of having two additional movies coming out with tried and tested directors, so he can shift focus to them and (hopefully) enjoy being in a critically praised film.
I moved to TN from MI in 1990 when I was 7. The southern accents in Spring Hill were so thick I couldn’t understand my 1st grade teacher. I almost failed. My husband is from North Carolina and despite my 20 yrs in the south I think I spent the 1st month of knowing him either smiling or saying “huh” when he spoke to me.
I’m here to tell you her accent sounds just fine. Movie goers often forget that each state, city, county in the south may have a different dialect. And the southerners in larger cities like Nashville may not have much of an accent at all. Education is also a huge factor. But if they grew up in the sticks though it’s hard to lose that twang.
Speaking as someone who struggles to sing a recognisable ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ as well as being a fair weather dragonfly, I’m thoroughly impressed.
The fourth wall break is a tad creepy, though.
I am working on the finishing touches for my ensemble for this night’s premiere of ISTL.
Colin and Mark have made preparations to keep both the veranda buffet and the meadow vending machines fully stocked with delicious food, beverages and sundries. Security measures are fully in place as well to keep the meadow fray from getting out of hand. Alas, the gazebo remains off limits due to the roof being gone.
But I think my husband Tom sounds fine. Hank Williams was a great songwriter but, although his voice was distinctive, he really was not a great singer. Also the look of the film is fantastic.
I hope i get a VIP pass into your veranda tonight? I’ve been a bit rough on Tom recently, i wanted him to fully appreciate all pleasures in life.
Dear p’enny,
Dare I ask what rough entails?
@p’enny, I will check with Tom. You certainly haven’t been part of the meadow fray so I suspect you’ll be given a seat on the veranda but whether you’re on an Adirondack chair, the chaise, the glider, the swing or just sitting on the floor off in the far corner is up to him.
@Grace, I fear the response to that question but he does seem a bit bruised.
well, i tied him up with all his ties from his latest fashion shoot. #blush
oooh the Swing please 🙂
P’enny, before you answer beware that some are at work before you go into too much detail. 😉
I hope you ladies at least got rid of the pinstripe suit, regardless of the circumstance leading to that. It’s an eyesore and a shame. Tom has the body made for beautiful suits and yet that way-too-tight ensemble makes him look like a Wall Street CEO and a crook, and not in a hot way.
@Grace, the fashion shoot suits stayed at the fashion shoot. He hasn’t decided yet what to wear to tonight’s ISTL premier and we are having quite the morning trying on pants and taking off pants, a task that is being hampered quite a bit by all those ties tied around bits of him. But I am being patient and very helpful.
@p’enny, not so tight with the knots next time. Cutting off circulation is not a good thing!
i never realised my knots were so tight? i only decorated his fifth limb with a pretty bow, Casanova style.
Ooh, can I please get a spot? (grovelling and bringing over caramel chicken with jasmine rice for dinner. Goes great with mojitos!!)
Agree with Lilacflowers 100% about Hank’s voice versus song writing. I listened to the two versions one after the other and thought Tom did a pretty decent job. Hank was not that awesome a singer himself.
Whatever accent Olsen does, she can’t be any worse than she was in the Avengers. She (and that twit playing her brother) ruined a perfectly decent superhero popcorn flick.
At first I thought Lizzy overdid it, but then I went back and listened to Audrey’s voice on the Low and Lonely video (you get her awful singing voice too) and Audrey had that strong ‘bama drawl too.
That chicken dish sounds amazing. (How many times will Tom say that over the next three days?) Please be sure to give Colin the recipe for Cook.
I didn’t think it sounded bad…..but not particularly good. I don’t really listen to a lot of music, so I’m not a huge fan of Hank Williams (or his son)….so I don’t see the excitement for this. I like Tom Hiddleston, but he’s a little meh for me. I like Elizabeth Olsen’s accent though.
Unless this movie is just flat out amazing……..I don’t see it making huge waves. Maybe nominations for acting…….
Yeah. It’s not bad, it’s just that it’s obvious that the twang isn’t natural to his voice. Like it’s obvious that he doesn’t really sing like that in real life. I feel like you can hear the effort it takes him to stay in that accent when he’s singing.
You can even see the effort – look at the veins on his neck popping out 🙂
It’s not the effort with the veins it’s because of the Hank’s back pain.
I adore Tom, and he can get it all day long, but I don’t find him…particularly musical? It sounds a little try-hard rather than effortless. Hank sounds effortless. Not that this will prevent me from seeing the movie.
Hank Williams couldn’t sing either. I hope this does well. I might have to break down and see a biopic.
Yes, this. And Hank has been gone such a long time TH can just capture the spirit of Hank without having to do a full on imitation to please the fans.
Ha, true! But that’s why it seems like he should be able to imitate him a little better than this! That’s okay though. He sounds fine.
+1,000! I was waiting for someone to mention how bad HW was! Of course I plan to see it (heart in mouth, I do hope Toddles hasn’t overreached himself here and I don’t have to slink down the corridor of the local multiplex looking for another movie to slip into) but really between the agony of listening to HW or an impersonation of him by his Lordship, the latter is probably preferable.
Not only does The PuddleTom’s voice sound better than Hank’s but both him and Lizzy are easier on the eyes than Hank and Audrey. Can’t complain about that.
Has Lizzy ever demonstrated her singing pipes? She’s gotta make it sound off-pitch and nasal-y to get the fingernails-on-chalkboard effect of the Audrey Mae’s.
i think Hank sang in a style that is rarely used now so you cannot compare it to his current country music style wise.
Meanwhile i have my High Rise tickets for ihe Lonidon Film Festival and fingers crossed Tom is there
I’d say he sounds pretty good. Why do people think that the actor needs to sound exactly like the person they are portraying? She sounds good too. But then again, I’m not a native English speaker… Anyway, I like this. Olsen was really good in Martha Marcy May Marlene and Hiddles is a decent actor, and I don’t know Hank Williams story so this is interesting to me.
They don’t need to, generally. It’s just sometimes hard to hear if you are a native to that area and they’re butchering the accent. It takes you out of the moment. I’m from about an hour south of HW, so I’ll probably be a little more critical since I hear that accent a lot.
Tom pointed out during his Nerdist panel at SDCC that they’re going for a late 1940s accent and speech pattern, which is different from today’s accent and speech patterns. So, even if they nail it, it is going to sound a bit off by today’s standards.
It may be a 1940’s speech pattern, but I definitely hear that accent around where I live. I will admit, they usually are the older folks, though.
absolutley, people are saying that Fassy sounds nothing like Steve Jobs or looks like him either, but has caught his passion adn essence.
I’m not saying he can’t do a good job on it. Was merely answering as to why some people are so hung up on accents in movies. Same as when people are critical of those Boston accents. 🙂
@DS, I believe Meryl Streep started the accent trend. Before her, people just went with something generalized.
He sounded better than I thought he would. As I said last night, I’m still holding out to hear the speaking accent. Much easier to sing an accent than speak one. Brits cannot do southern ‘r’s and I won’t be expecting a perfect accent from him. Olsen’s isn’t bad, but It’s difficult to do if you aren’t native. I’d prefer an even, generally decent accent than one that is all over the place.
Andrew Lincoln in the Walking Dead: CAWWWWerLLL
Bahahaha! Spot on.
Meh sums up the clip pretty well.
Have to agree…for some reason, a southern TommyAnne doesn’t do it for me. Give me a gritty High-Rise or a terrifying Crimson Peak any day.
I think he sounds wonderful, the reason he is looking ‘direct at the camera’ is because the clip shows a date stamp in the bottom left corner, which i am interpreting as it is meant to a set-up of recording Hank in a recording studio for some kind of pretend documentary. If that makes sense. lol
That does make sense.
I got the impression (from this small clip) that it was more that he was looking directly at the producer(?) in the booth, trying to win him over – as if he was trying to read the guy’s expression to see how he was being received. But I could be wrong on that, I have nothing more to go on than the clip and that the year coincides with his big record contract.
My take too. The producer or the guy mixing the sound.
Just bringing this over, from a friend’s twitter. The Mom in question saw Hank perform live more than once and grew up with his recordings. Her approval means a lot. She wasn’t looking for a Hank clone, evidently, but someone who would do him justice.
@twhiddleston @TIFF_NET Mom was a Hank, Sr fan girl back in the day. She just watched the clip.Ya done REAL good, sir! #MoveItOnOver #IStL
They are the real critics i am interested hearing, those who adored Hank originally, knew him, and listened to him. I do wonder if the audience for this film is mostly older people whove heard of him. I just dont see Hank as being cool as Johnny Cash was/is with younger crowd.
Hopefully, i am wrong.
My first thought was ok, he wasn’t going to sound just like Hank but this is still pretty good. Then my kids (who love this song and Hey Good Lookin’) wanted to watch it on repeat. After about a dozen times, his unique way of interpreting Hank grew on me. Now I like it a lot. My biggest concern was the twang and pitch, which I think he did fine on both counts. His natural charisma comes through and his little vocal maneuvers bringing personality to the delivery.
Since this film isn’t as much about his career but his relationship with Audrey, I’m more interested to see how their story is portrayed on screen, as well as with his mother.
As others have said, the real test is his speaking accent, which is harder to master. We need a friggin’ trailer!
talking about trailers, i reckon we will get High Rise trailer before the weekend is out 🙂
I’m waiting to see the great Cherry Jones chew up lots of scenery and parts of Tom in that role of an overbearing, over-meddling, selfish mother.
If enjoy watching strong, overbearing mothers on screen and stage… like Deborah Findlay as Volumnia. She was underrated in Coriolanus imo. I don’t think I’ve seen Cherry in anything since 24. I look forward to seeing her again on screen.
A bit off topic, but I just got around to watching “A Most Violent Year” and almost didn’t recognize Albert Brooks in it. I don’t think I’ve seen him perform (other than do voices) since Mother. I loved him in Broadcast News.
Cherry used to do stage work here at the American Repertory Theater. She’s a forceful presence
This is silly–but I spent 20+ hours listening to Cherry Jones reading the entire (audiobook) series of Little House on the Prairie while driving through Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota and she feels like an old friend. Would see the movie just to see her in it.
This is by no means stepping on anyone’s toe if you are a country music fan, have heard Hank Williams prior to the exposure brought by this film. I had no idea who Hanks Williams was before Tom got casted to play him. To me the singing sounds fine. He’s not a contestant on The Voice. He’s an actor playing a musician in a biopic film, just so that the music happens to be a part of the story. I guess, what I am trying to say is, I am okay with his singing. I wasn’t going to watch the film since I’ve never a fan of biopic films. Now I might consider going. On a side, fangirl-related note, the veil on his neck looks, what is the word here, help out an English as second language person, well, let’s just say I like watching Tommy exerting himself. 😉
You mean the distracting veins popping out of his neck?
Yes Grace, he does look like he’s “exerting himself”.
🙂
Yes, popping, you know that did cross my mind for like a second but I decided I liked exerting better. Sounds more severe, doesn’t it? 🙂
I always had a thing for the veins on his neck. Heck, I always had a thing for his neck. *hides*
Grace, it’s best to see them “popping” from underneath or while slammed against the wall, teeth clenched. 😉
i knew you guys were vampires…
mmm stake through the heart and wafts garlic, stay away from Tom!
Just here waiting for “Crimson Peak”.
Me too but for Charlie Hunnam, not Hiddles.
me three, no interest in ISTL, but wish him well
I had the same reaction, “ahhh, the singing” but then I reminded myself that Williams had a certain type of voice as well. As someone up thread mention, I want to hear is speaking voice for the film.
My overall impression:
He did fine with the singing, and the fact that he doesn’t sound exactly like Williams doesn’t bother me. Looking into the camera also didn’t bother me for the reasons P’enny describes above.
Having said that, he doesn’t wow me– “meh” pretty much covers it. He comes across as a studious actor who has worked very hard on this role, not as someone who has great musical talent. This snippet doesn’t give enough to judge his acting, but I would say this film will need to really deliver something extraordinary to earn all that Oscar PR buzz. Maybe it will?
EO’s accent sounds like standard issue Daisy Duke. People who have seen the film though have spoken highly of her acting.
I wish they would put out an actual trailer for this and High Rise!
Miss Jupitero, I agree. My impression is somewhere between “meh” and “wow”. “Relieved” and “pleased” probably describes it best. I didn’t have high expectations due to the difficulty of the role, so I’m not disappointed.
I’ll think I’ll enjoy the film even if it doesn’t knock my socks off or garner a lot of critical praise, as long as the script and direction are decent. Those were always the wild cards for me with this film, not the acting. The story is interesting enough to put my butt in a seat.
I’m relieved as well, and i think they released this to assure music fans that yes, TH can sing. This isn’t going to flop– he is a good actor. But I also don’t expect it to be the home run fans hope for. I’m going to wait for it to come out on Netflix myself, and I think I’ll enjoy it.
I like it.
I don’t think he did too badly, but I NEED to see him performing this as Loki, even the lyrics are spot-on. Maybe while he’s in Atlanta filming Ragnarok?
i think singing Cold Cold Heart in Loki gear-get up would fit well.
Oooh yes
With his hair slicked back, I couldn’t help think of Loki.
i have to be honest, i see no Loki in that 1 min performance. And, i hope i dont either when i watch the film. i’ve cleaned my palette of Tom videos for a while so i can see this and High Rise with fresher eyes.
I see no Loki either. Freddie Page perhaps, same era, but no Loki
I see some Loki-esque expressions. And looking at Twitter, I’m not the only one who did.
It was okay. I do remember Hank Williams (as well as his a$$hole son), in fact he was due to appear in the town I lived in, and we had tickets, but he up and died on us three days before the scheduled concert.
He actually sings better than Hank. To me, Hank’s brilliance is not in his singing, but in the simplicity and power of his songwriting.
Hank’s brilliance is not in his singing, but in the simplicity and power of his songwriting.
You’re so right. Talking about being in doghouse was such a creative and lighthearted take on a situation anyone with a domineering gf/wife could identify with. I’ve always thought his ability to write simple, catchy tunes and write about topics men & women could relate to was the key to his popularity. Along with his good-ole-boy southern charm and charisma.
that is what i read
I don’t like Hank Williams one bit so I disliked this for a completely wrong reason. I’m skipping this film.
Now give me High-Rise. Loved the book, want the film! Also, Jeremy Irons <3
I can still hear the Brit in in singing voice – yet I can hear the twang and the swallowed consonants, too.
Love the lighting and the camera movement and the period detail in the studio scene. But that graceful twirl before he sits down at the kitchen table did not remind me of the way any of the southern gentlemen I know carry themselves.
Am a fan of both Johnny Cash and Hank Williams – and it didn’t bother me that J. Phoenix wasn’t doing so much a strict impersonation as an interpretation – so I’m looking forward to seeing where this performance goes as well.
lol i noticed that twirl, but the twirl shows Hank being happy, he’s watching Audrey boss about the workmen, and setting up a new home. The twirl is acting happy. Early days in their marriage, i guess. 🙂
However, i cant see Hank W with his spine problems twirling much at all. Little nuances like that could probably catch a few critics eyes.
If that short clip is any indication, the cinematography and look of the film will be lovely
Belle– have you ever waltzed with a southern man? Because I recognized that twirl right away. Cat with cream flourish with just a touch of swagger. Did make me wonder if Hank is on his painkillers in the scene, admittedly. Later pics since released show Audrey joining him and evidently sitting on his leg, so some kind of pain relief must have been in effect.
I just think it’s “Loki-does-karaoke” tbh.
Why no clip including him speaking? Why her!? Where are the High Rise clips? What will Tom wear tonight? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
*gets out smelling salts*
Thomas still hasn’t decided what to wear tonight. He is still trying on pants.
I am not sure this movie was a good move for Hiddleston. I just can’t get past “British guy pretending to be a country singer” vibe. I don’t know. It is like having a British guy play a cowboy. It is just too much. Unless the cowboy is Charlie Hunnam, but then I won’t be watching the movie for its storyline.
What I am trying to say is that the only people who will be able to suspend the disbelief would be those who have no idea who Hiddleston is. But would those people actually go see some unknown guy in some average movie?
Or British girl playing scarlet o’hara
I understand and agree it will be a hard sell, a risky one,, time will tell if it works but we don’t know if it’s an average movie. Art house, yes, small independent yes, average we don’t know.
Charlie h accent was awful in sons of anarchy but we love him all the same so, let’s see 😀
Oh, if folks only knew how deep the Brit runs through & amongst Southern Belles.
> Or British girl playing scarlet o’hara
It doesn’t bother me because during those times (the 19th century) the British and American cultures were much more intertwined . Or at least that is my perception.
Was “Frank” a bad move for Fassbender? I know several people who have no idea who Tom is who are planning to see this movie. It is a small film. It did not have a huge budget so if it doesn’t draw huge crowds, it won’t be a financial disaster. Several of his contemporaries or close to comtemporary have had major flops (Jupiter Ascending, The Counselor, The Fifth Estate, The Drop) that have not hurt their careers. This move shows he has range beyond Loki and tragic Shakespearean military guys (perfect accent or not) and that he is willing to step outside his comfort zone and try. So far, the trades seem to think he has done a nice job in the small clip.
Oh, I agree. If it flops, it is no big deal. I just think it will be a hard sell.
And when I said “not sure it was a good idea”, I meant the use of time. He could’ve used this time for something else. Though, admittedly, I don’t know what other offers there.
Btw, what happened to the King-Kong movie he was supposed to be in?
If he made good contacts for the future out of it, he would probably consider it time well spent. Positive reviews for performance won’t hurt him either. Really not sure what else you think he should be doing with his time or should be expecting to accomplish for himself with the film.
The Monkey movie doesn’t start filming until next month and there is already a sequel to the monkey movie being planned.
I have never seen him as Loki – and I’m not part of any fan base – but in answer to your question, I want to see him in both this and in the Tilda-vamp movie. Admittedly, I might not be in the cinema for first release… but it’s on my agenda for later-viewing (Netflix/dvd).
Sometimes, a well-edited clip IS enough to grab someone like me. I don’t know what percentage that makes me of the general viewing public, but any actor who can hold frame like that – especially in a mere clip or preview – lands on my personal ‘to see’ list.
Accent wise, Scots had to put up with Mel Gibson in Braveheart so suck it up y’all…
Ha… no kidding. But it brought on my eternal boner for all things Scottish, despite the butchered accent, so something good came out of it!
My comment’s so awesome, it had to post two…
…no, three times!
Pretty good article in The Guardian addressing the Hank III controversy, Tom’s improvement from last year’s Wheatland festival to the clip we saw yesterday, and how he embodies Hank Sr differently than his predecessors on film.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/11/tom-hiddleston-hank-williams-film-singing-measure-up
Thanks for the link.
You’re welcome! I thought it was a good read.
That’s a very nice review and analysis of a very brief clip of a much longer film. It is also longer than what most of the trades are posting but, from what I’ve seen, all of those have been positive too.
I am not going to lie…I am into it way more than I should.
This clip is Oscar-baity and I saw a video of Hank Williams and Hiddles was pretty somar, 2-3 words i could really tell it was Hiddles. But what do I know about America accents?!
@Lilacflowers, this is for you. Check out the lower right corner of the official ISTL page from Sony Classics (which has a new picture, BTW).
http://sonyclassics.com/isawthelight/
SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE ON LEGACY RECORDINGS
By the way, I knew the movie was getting a limited release on 11/27, but I didn’t think it meant LA/NY only. Can’t SF get some love, too?
Thanks, et alors, my Rodney Crowell worshipping boyfriend will be getting that soundtrack as a Christmas gift.
As for the limited release, I hope they make this more widely available than they did with Still Alice. It didn’t open in the Boston area until late January and I had to trek through frigid cold and ice to see it.
they always do that, open first weekend on four cinemas its a benchmark thing, i noticed it when OLLA came out and they mark all indie films by their opening on those four cinemas. The next 2-3 weekends later they roll out to 8-16 cinemas. Then more, if it its popular.
I had serious doubts about this role for him when it was first announced. But having watched the clip, I am very impressed.
I’d never heard of HW before hiddles was gonna be in this film, never heard any of his songs, since watching that 1 minute clip I can’t get that bastard song out my head……. Thiddy what have you done to me
Move It On Over, Hey Good Lookin’, Why Don´t You Love Me & Jambalaya will have the same effect. Hank was a brilliant at writing catchy tunes.
I just listened to jambalaya today and realised I had heard it before, did the carpenters, cheryl crow or shania twain do a version of that? Someone defo did just can’t remember who, I used to love Shania.
It’s in the movie Steel Magnolias…
Speaking of SM (my favorite “southern” movie), the faster version of Jambalaya at Shelby’s wedding reception is the way that song should have been recorded by Hank. Hank’s lacks the energy that is worthy of the tune.
Creedence Clearwater Revival did the most popular version of Jambalaya.
George Thorogood’s version of Move it on Over is hard not to like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXQ4tRlYgM0
Unless you hate rock-n-roll, electric guitars and gritty vocals.
Tom just arrived for the ISTL premier:
https://twitter.com/BethanyKaster/status/642450350331592704
Full disclosure: I made a delicious Bearnaise Sauce to pour over my crow, just in case I’m having that for dinner.
So did they come together or separate?
I didn’t see any shot of her arriving and they walked in separately, so I’m assuming no??
There’s a few pics of Tom and Lizzie separately on Instagram #tiff15. Her dress is awful.
After hitting a home run in Deauville, she struck out tonight. The cut, design, color is ALL WRONG. Why oh why does she wear all black like her sisters??
I already have a kink on my neck from watching the red carpet on Periscope.
Don’t you know it. She’s tall and has a great shape to wear almost anything. And the hair just slicked back is blah. I do see after all that suit porn, Tom went back to tried and true forever blue.
That is not cute.
The dress
https://instagram.com/p/7gWfffAkdI/
Right Now – Periscope at red carpet with @colliderfrosty
This is a better shot of the dress. It was worse than I originally thought:
https://twitter.com/ElizabethOIsen/status/642457994408517632
OMG you are too funny! He is wearing that horrible knit blue tie though – someone should burn that thing
Ugh the shoes… Maybe she thought it wawas Crimson peak premiere?
MI6, I think he wears tie because it reminds him of p’enny. See upthread #3. It’s his good luck charm.
Freshmeat, that’s what I thought… she went gothic for this event. Bad choice. The shoes are hideous.
I don´t want to be mean but her dress looks like Morticia Addams.
She is young and lovely but that dress and those shoes are horrible.
I need a good seat from which to watch that blue tie burn.
THAT MY TIE CHOICE!!!!
HAHAA still better than that paisley number he once wore. lol
I think she was confused, maybe jet lag and dressed for CP premiere a few weeks early. The whole outfit, shoes included just make her look older than 26….but maybe that was what she was looking for.
@p’enny, a woman was responsible for that pink floral paisley creation around his neck. Mother, sister, aunt, or girlfriend but a woman bestowed that thing upon him.
Uhg. If you go goth you gotta COMMIT. That’s not committing! That’s just the wear to work version of a Halloween Morticia costume.
ok, so we’ve discussed her gothic attire (veto), his knitted tie (useful only for bondage) and his tried and true blue suit (tomismonochromaticallyfabulous).
My final word… scruff FTW!
@Lilacflowers- there is no a way a woman gave that to him. That was “I’m single and I have no idea how to dress myself” tie.
*we are talking about the pink thing at the horse race track right?
@M.A.F., yes, the horse race tie. Women do buy such things, may God forgive those of us who do. And that thing was not in his typical color range of blue, black, gray, white. That’s some woman deciding he needs color. Possibly from an aunt.
Watched on Periscope and Tumblr. What happened between here and France? She looked great in white, hair flowing, smiling, posing, etc. why does she look so severe? And no smile. He walked carpet alone which was smart considering how crazy some of his fans are.
Now that I think about it France was about her. If you watched the crowds at TIFF definitely all Tom. Probably felt overshadowed and apprehensive re his fans.
Beach Girl, the early twitter pics didn’t show her smiling, but there’s new ones coming up now from Getty where she looks more relaxed.
It’s lazy to blame the fans for their being separate. Didn’t stop BC in his quest for Oscar glory.
They could be playing coy, they could also just be friends, or any number of reasons arrive separately.
Agree with Madly.
They were deliberately remaining separate… and she angled away from him in the group picture.
I’m not eating my dinner yet… the weekend’s festivities have just begun. There’s more to be seen and said here.
Meh, there are plenty of photos of them posing together with big smiles on their faces. I don’t see what you are seeing. She could be posing like that in a group shot because it makes her look better in photos.
@Beach girl – I thought she looked fabulous in France. I was really looking forward to her red-carpet game in Toronto, but that black satin number was just bad. She was in white earlier in the day and was beautiful –
https://instagram.com/p/7gM904Pzte/
The time of day and smaller venue probably made it hard to find the proper wardrobe for them both. Go black-tie and you look too try-hard. To be honest, I wasn’t all that fond of how Tom looked either.
@Nutty, what has me scratching my head was that there were plenty of photos of EO arriving in Toronto, but none of Tom. In theory, they could have even been on the same flight – she was just in France a few days ago and he was in London doing things for NTLive. The Toronto airport had to have been photog central this week. Maybe the paps had bigger celebs to chase, but I’m surprised there isn’t even a fan photo of Tom.
Dara, perhaps Tom was hiding in her checked bag??
Tom may have arrived early enough as to avoid the paps. I don’t think he would have gotten through the airport unnoticed unless he pulled out his Jango Fett costume.
I agree that Tom could have stepped up his red carpet game a bit. He seemed to be going for a more casual look and I for one was hoping for something like that aubergine pinstripe number that he had on in Soho. I was happy to see his scruff and his shoes, so all was not lost.
why would they be on the same flight if she were in france and him london?? A flight to toronto from london wouldnt stop off in france? and especially not from the part if france she was in. i cant see her going to london to fly to toronto, there would be no point she wasnt there long enough
They are definately not pr’ing the relationship, if there is one, as we thought they might. I wonder if there is really “nothing to write home about” The pictures of them together couldn’t be any less of a couple and more just of friendly co-stars. Or maybe they didn’t want to overshadow the film.
I do think that these two are a thing but contrary to what some said before they are not milking it. If they had made it public there press would have talked more about it than the actual movie. I don’t know why people expected differently. I think we will never see Hiddles with PAD actions like with Susannah ever again. Those happened when he became really famous at the start of his career.
I think if he is in love, he would or seriously committed. He’s affectionate.
I’m someone who thought something shady happened between these two, but after seeing photos of no off screen chemistry and video of them just acting professional to each other and just being normal, I’m on the fence now. If it weren’t for that date that is getting so much milage or all the stories, I would never have thought something was going on. And I don’t think they are both such amazing actors to fake it so completely. But maybe they can and they will have another public date soon.
I’m not convinced there’s nothing going on between them just because they didn’t PR it last night. Remember, Bendy went separately to LFF with his pregnant and soon-to-be-fiance last year.
If something’s going on, they may not have wanted their coupling to overshadow the talk about their performances in the movie. If the scripts as bad as we’re hearing, their performances need to stand out. They may also be reacting to the response they got after the pap walk(s). Remember how Tom reacted after going public with JArthy. He seemed to be following the fan reactions and determining his next steps.
I want to wait and see how the rest of this weekend plays out. You’re still interviews to be done and another premiere.
LOL, you can’t use LFF as an example. If anything that drew a spotlight more than their FO date and what not. She got her own car, she got a handler, she walked the red carpet, and she left his hotel in front of the paps before the premier. It was enough to draw a lot of attention that something was up even if there was a debate as to what it was.
THEO put ISTL out there on the map in some ways. The film itself was getting some buzz, but compared to Steve Jobs, Leo’s film, and others, it wasn’t as strong. They already used their whatever it is for publicity and that story was running on clickbait sites for months before any real news of the film came out.
And man, I hope what you are saying about how he treats girlfriends based on fan reaction isn’t true. That would make him a spineless jackass.
@DT – you’re right, I should have prefaced my comment with “IF they are a couple, and IF they are going out of their way to spend time together like the gossip mags claim…” Then it makes sense for them both to tailor their travel arrangements to be together.
I don’t look at flights from Europe to Toronto very often, but I assumed there would be more from London than Paris. Most people I book flights for hate the Paris airport and avoid it all costs – unless they actually have business in Paris.
Watching LIVE on #Periscope: red carpet of I saw the light
http://www.periscope.tv/w/aMNBeTcyOTEwODZ8MUx5eEJlb0Jld3lKTgAGLOzn2Zlj4rDgWT-ENJJimcwEFVtOMXNJTbA0elo4
Did anyone else find that man extremely annoying? Like why would he think anyone would want to watch video of chairs? Olsen’s publicist yelled at him. And Luke completely ignored him.
I had no idea he was that rude. Seems more professional online. I think he may be in a wheelchair which is hard to maneuver in a crowd. But still….
so are they doing the couple thing or are they seperate???
I think Separate (so far…) He appeared to arrive with Luke.
He arrived in a car by himself.
@colliderfrosty has periscope live inside the premier:
https://www.periscope.tv/w/aMNIQTMzNDIwMjF8MXlOR2FyWXFPa2pKap9zIr7KeFtFXnX6P7vm_zBIjVqiBmQi5MB5POKihHtI
And pics inside the I SAW THE LIGHT party tonight! from Sony Classics: instagram.com/sonyclassicsvip/
My husband Tom and I will be wearing, I mean sharing, that lovely cake later on this evening.
I love that cake !
If you going to share it, i want a piece.
LA Times has an interesting write-up about High-Rise.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-toronto-high-rise-20150912-story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=95867
Anxiously waiting for reviewers to start tweeting… *rapidly finger tapping on desk*
From @pollyprissypant:
Holy cracker, @twhiddleston absolutely kills it as Hank Williams. The singing, the accent. A fitting tribute to an icon.
Also fron @KelseyAPye:
I Saw The Light was an amazing film. Great performances all round. And seeing @twhiddleston in person was breathtaking.
Are there any up from professional critics? They do tend to be a bit more objective.
Yes, from @adambvary. He is Senior Film Reporter for @BuzzFeed :
Tom Hiddleston is very impressive in I SAW THE LIGHT, capturing Hank Williams voice with eerie power. I wish the film was better.
Maybe this one from @MaijaKappler:
I Saw The Light: a little long and occasionally clumsy, but well-crafted and anchored by phenomenal performances from its two leads.
Or Baz Bamigboye (from Daily Mail):
Brit actor @twhiddleston brilliantly captures the sad Southern heart .
Video with Tom: etcanada.com/tiff/tom+hiddleston+talks+switch+from+super+villain+to+country+star/video.html?v=524070979609&p=1&s=da#video
That video says it isn’t available from my location.
Yeah, I ignored the ones from obvious Hiddlestoners. I wanted something more objective.
This is what I was afraid of:
@jcnarvey
“I Saw the Light is extremely disappointing. Script and direction are weak but performances good. #TIFF15”
@callmedeb
#TIFF15 #ISawTheLight @twhiddleston was completely transformed/amazing as HW BUT I found that it fell flat 4me story wise no narrative hook
The review on The Wrap wasn’t enthusiastic either.
Fudge. Except I didn’t say fudge.
I can’t tell if the Wrap love it or hate it.
http://www.thewrap.com/i-saw-the-light-toronto-review-tom-hiddleston-tries-to-fill-hank-williams-cowboy-hat/sthash.DnAONDPZ.uxfs
@Heather, I couldn’t get your link to work but I did read The Wrap review and it was very favorable to the performances, calling Tom’s performance “towering”. It just then goes on and on about wanting to hear Hank Williams instead of a good cover of Hank Williams – the lip sync or sing argument – which is actually just a matter of critic’s taste. It doesn’t really give an overall opinion on the film, other than it would have preferred the music be dubbed in.
I don’t know why there’s extra bits on the end of the link there. Sorry about that.
http://www.thewrap.com/i-saw-the-light-toronto-review-tom-hiddleston-tries-to-fill-hank-williams-cowboy-hat/
^ that link should work. 🙂
The Wrap review was very positive about Tom’s performance as Hank, but it’s main beef was the lack of authenticity of Hank’s musical sound in letting Tom do his own singing and wanting less emphasis on the marital discord. I interpreted it as “it’s ok, but not quite good enough to really satisfy”.
That being said, I suspect the average Hank fan would enjoy the music and would probably echo what other reviewers said in wishing there was more of it, since Tom’s got a better voice and has loads of charisma. But it seems that the initial feedback is that it’s a lopsided portrayal of Hank that doesn’t really have a coherent theme.
That Wrap review has me confused as well! The headline is ambivalently shady (HIddleston tries to fill William’s cowboy hat) and the first, bolded sentence is more shade on Hiddleston’s lack of twang.
But then he buries in the next paragraph ,
‘towering lead performance’ by Hiddleston, and as much as implies Tom deserves an Oscar nomination. Or at least, he deserves one equally compared to the leads in Walk the Line, Coal Miner’s Daughter, et cetera.
I just don’t get what he’s really aiming at with this review.
Tom on stage for a Q&A following the première:
twitter.com/KelseyAPye/status/642497206226960384/photo/1
Just curious, are you Cindy McCoy on Twitter?
No, but I know her twitter account.
No, Lilacflowers.
I’m the same way, I’ve been suckered in one too many times with Twitter reviews lol
Is Baz even a film critic? I thought he was the gossip guy at the Daily Fail. Hardly a critical review.
@Nutballs, I thought Baz was the president of the cumberwhatevers.
Nutty–Baz was solely a film reviewer before he went over to the Fail. But he’s still a force in UK film re viewing scene: he’s on that Evening Standard Award committee!
Interesting TB. But can he write a thoughtful and objective review?
Hollywood Reporter review here and I’m seeing a theme with the reviews:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/i-saw-light-tiff-review-822421
Nutballs, I’m noticing the same.
Now wondering if Hank III has weighed in, in the last few hours. Ugh.
@Nutty, all the mainstream reviews do seem to have the same theme don’t they? They echo what a lot of commenters here were saying even before production started. Even if Tom and cast killed it in their roles, a relatively inexperienced director may not have the chops to do the story justice. I’m still looking forward to seeing it, and I’m curious if a mainstream audience would find it more appealing than the professional critics or die-hard festival goers might.
@Heather – in one of the red-carpet interviews the director mentions showing the film to the Williams family in Nashville and their opinion was very positive. I’ve no idea who all might have been a part of that group. I just hope that Hank III keeps his trap shut, he embarrasses himself every time he speaks.
@Dara, there are pictures of Jett Williams on set so she was probably part of the group. It is also likely that Hank Williams, Jr. may have been part of that audience as he and Jett were consulted on the project before filming. Hank III was likely nowhere near the place because he is estranged from his father.
@Heather, Hank 3 weighed in again when Tom released the initial clip and, well, more of the same about “murica! and soul.
I’m curious if a mainstream audience would find it more appealing than the professional critics or die-hard festival goers might.
Dara, I’m wondering the same thing. The average movie-watcher/country music fan might not be so down on it. I wonder now, how difficult it would have been for an inexperienced director to get the right balance of showing Hank’s ability to use his own troubled life to write songs that were so simple, direct and emotional that he defined a new breed of songwriter and influenced a wealth of artists across musical genres. To me, that’s what makes Hank such an interesting person. He was a right hot mess, but managed to do amazing things for the world in spite of it.
or British lady playing an English Suffaragette
http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/I-Saw-the-Light-Toronto-Review-Tom-6499636.php
“…it rose above the standard biopic movies mostly thanks to a towering lead performance by Tom Hiddleston as the haunted country icon.”
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/tiff-review-i-saw-the-light-starring-tom-hiddleston-elizabeth-olsen-20150911
“…That’s especially disappointing because Hiddleston is so commanding during the rare times when Abraham lets him sing an entire song.”
This seemed to sum up the criticism of the script/direction for the indiewire guy:
“There’s nothing wrong with taking a warts-and-all approach to a pop legend, but when it becomes mostly warts, the reason for making the movie in the first place gets lost.”
The director was trying not to gloss over Hank’s many faults but may not have balanced it enough with Hank’s genius to make it interesting. Other tweeters said it dragged and was a lackluster melodrama. They seemed to enjoy Tom’s performance and the musical parts.
I love Tom’s outfit! The tie, bless it, I am growing fond of it, but it is nothing compared to the striped Tribeca of 2012, which will always hold a special place in my heart.
Is Olsen taking the “Witch” part of her Marvel character with her this evening? What a horrendous outfit. (I am looking at it on mobile to be fair, but still. No.)
Good to hear the first reactions to the film are positive!
All was very bland. Both TH and EO were bland. Her shoes were the stuff “Canadian” Target went down for. Dress looked like crow’s wet feathers and started pregnancy rumours while I think it was just terrible cut.. He lacked the usual elegance of a wild cat. It may be only me though, I have clients’ scores competing and Richard Armitage to sell. I may not be in the best state of mind to embrace those two but still, something is missing and I usually enjoy Hiddleston and his antiques. If someone decided to turn him into a “serious actor”, not the wisest decision. Didn’t watch the movie, had another event to attend.
The white dress she wore in Deauville two nights ago made her look very much not pregnant.
You’re selling Richard Armitage? How much?
And does Lee Pace come as part of a package deal?
Why should Lee Pace come as part of the package?
LOL. Comes in a package with a movie and original score, very fair price, call me, Absolutely! (I’m sorry for our terrible professional slang!)
Lilacflowers, I don’t care about her white dress, I’m commenting on this one ane she looked like her stomach walked a foot before her.
I am aware that you were referring to the black dress of last night. I referred you to the white dress of Wednesday night to address the rumor you were putting forth.
On the contrary, i stated the rumour was not viable to me and it was bad cut. Do me a favour and don’t try to put words in my mouth, especially when you are commenting on another actor’s personal life above hinting a rumour, and a very cheap one, indeed.
I am not the one who brought up any rumor. And yes, the rumor was cheap.
Which movie and score? Though I like pretty much everything he’s in, so I’d prob buy no matter what!
Lilacflowers, please. Your post is above. I’m not interested in continuing any conversation with you, thank you.
Absolutely, “P.”
hiddleston & antiques????
This bit talking about vocal training with Rodney and Rodney telling him how British folk music is different than ours is cute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=105&v=LJ0dFL1_Ubg
I was at Friday night’s screening of ISTL, and here are my two overriding thoughts:
1) The film lacked a cohesive narrative structure. It meandered and was difficult to follow at points.
2) I did not expect to enjoy TWH’s singing as much as I did, given that in the past it’s always made me cringe a bit. But he really did a great job – and the opening number (“Cold Cold Heart”) was hauntingly beautiful. Gave me chills.
Overall, though, not likely Oscar material in my opinion. The film is just not good enough.
Reading the reviews so far has been painful! Even though most of them have been complimentary about the performances.
I doubt it’ll get any awards traction at all now – you generally need the whole package to work to get nominated.
.
The reviews and comment above here make it sound like they pulled a lot of the ‘interview’ style footage after the test screenings. Perhaps they went too far the other way, perhaps they leaned too hard on the opinions of one fairly limited demographic. Someone suggested test screenings in Chicago would have been better than Boston.
Getting back to the IMPORTANT stuff—there sure are a LOT of purty pictures from last night. Also some less than appealing. Guess that’s what happens when you have SO many cameras going off.
But this one is a personal favorite:
https://instagram.com/p/7gXyMeTWxl/
(Hope it all goes through okay.)
Sony Picture Classic’s VIP Instagram has some great shots, as well.
Elizabeth Olsen and Tom Hiddleston both rocked blue blazers and Blue Steel looks in our tiff2015 studio.
instagram.com/p/7iPTSIRF_D/
Thanks, Allegra! He looks lovely.
I feel bad for the guy as he was so proud of this project and worked so hard. The buzz out of the festival will be mixed and that can’t be good. He would have to have a superior performance to compensate with the strong slate of male performances coming out this year.
There is not much buzz about the movie at the festival, to be honest, and that’s worse. The usual gang of fangirls doesn’tmake a movie and Hank Williams is not exactly a well known entity in the surroundings of Toronto to create a buzz to move the movie forward. The USA will be a better place to judge perception by the public. But in terms of professional buzz, from what I hear, no, definitely a non contender and my colleagues comment on the lack of stronger director mostly not that the performances were average. P.s. we are doing our press-clipping and I am reading Hiddleston – the social media star, the social media fans declared love, etc.
I hear you. He was discussed loudly on this board, but in the larger scope of movies to see, this wasn’t on the radar. High Rise seems to be getting more buzz. I think the EO and TH situation has put a spotlight on this film that is disproportionate to industry stuff.
are you the Mary-Alice? have u seen the film?
Was this film really necessary? I had never heard of Hank Williams prior to the making of this movie. Is it me being stupid or was he really not that famous outside of the country music fanbase?
I mean this isn’t Johnny Cash we’re talking about. Why make a movie about a random country star? What was special about his life?
I’m asking seriously, not making fun, I really can’t understand what the point of this movie is. From what I’ve read, he wrote a few good country songs, got addicted to drugs and died young. That’s about it.
The movie itself doesn’t look appealing to me or remotely interesting. I’m saying this as an average objective cinema goer. I don’t think this will be popular or make a lot of money.
Without Hank Williams, Johnny Cash would not have had the career he had. Williams paved the way for many others, including Cash. Prior to Williams, country music was considered part of the folk genre. Williams was a brilliant songwriter. Personally, I don’t like listening to Williams’s recordings. I find his voice brittle and his style just doesn’t appeal to me but his songs are wonderful and other artists have done great things with them.
Yesterday ,Tom said the same in this Q&A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6USUvSiBVY&index=47&list=WL
There was a time when it would have been difficult to find a musician not citing him as an influence: Bob Dylan AND Linda Ronstadt both mentioned him, among countless others. That also tells you something about the broad range of his appeal.
I’m with you. I think outside the USA and the prairies of Canada, he is pretty much unknown, regardless what influence he had on anyone else. While the movie can rely on the USA market, being big enough, it can’t rely solely on it in case they had any aspirations toward awards.
@A. Key – Hank Williams is not just a “random country star”, but a very popular and influential musician. He had 11 #1 hits before his death at age 29, and his songs continue to be recorded by modern artists to this day.
Some say he was the first rock star – before there was rock music. Incredibly popular, screaming crowds wherever he performed, a creative genius that battled demons, chronic pain and addictions before dying at a tragically young age. 15,000+ people showed up for his funeral. Think Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and others. Their influence on music cannot be overstated, despite very short careers. Hank belongs to a very exclusive club.
Hank took what was lowbrow “hillbilly” folk music and made it mainstream country & western, now known as country music, one of the top three best selling genres here in America, along with Rock and R&B. He was a HUGE star in his day and his emotional, heartfelt lyrics born out of his own miserable life were a new way of songwriting that became standard in that genre.
I get why those outside of the US don’t understand his significance since he’s an American icon, but the fact is his music is important to the history of country and rock & roll and his songs are timeless and recorded by musicians/bands across all musical genres.
One of things that saddens me is that reviewers are saying that his brilliance as a songwriter and his importance in American music history isn’t communicated in the film. I don’t know if that was an impossible task or not, I wish Marc could have found the balance between the very-flawed Hank and yet despite his weaknesses, he gifted us with songs that live on, influence and resonate with people, 60 years after his death.
Sigh. Live me my TommyAnnE, but I just saw some reviews that totally panned this film. Blame seems to be on poor direction. Everyone likes his performance.
Start the morning with a nice mimosa. Colin will be around soon to take your brunch order.
Yes, you get it right.
Here another one that praise Tom:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/audio/2015/sep/12/toronto-film-festival-i-saw-the-light-the-martian-audio-reviews?CMP=twt_a-film_b-gdnfilm
I think the singing was fine; it was the scene afterwards that is worrying. He is trying very hard in that scene, overacting going over to the fridge and then reading the paper. He’s on edge, and it’s like I can read the script in that scene. I hope he settles in to other scenes better.
The HitFix review was terrible. He was very complimentary of Tom and Lizzie’s performance and their chemistry despite panning it. I appreciated how he gave specific examples of how the script was flawed.
I feel bad for Tom. He put so much work into that role. I just hope people recognize his talent and put blame for the movie’s flaws where it belongs.
Hank deserved to have a better story told and Marc just wasn’t the one to do it. I need to go climb a mountain to get rid of my sads.
Up front, I have no interest in seeing this movie, not because of the reviews but the subject matter doesn’t appeal to me. I’ve been consistent on that. But if the sm does appeal to others I wish they would go see it and judge for themselves. It seems like the performances alone would make it worthwhile.
I have more often than not been pleasantly surprised by movies that did not garner rave reviews. One must judge on their own.
@koko, well said. I try to avoid reviews if there is a movie I’m really stoked to see (like this one) – I’ll really only seek them out if there’s a film I’m not sure I’d want to spend the time or money on. I’m actively avoiding all info about Crimson Peak since that one is at the top of my list and I think too much info might spoil the experience.
I’ll see ISTL for sure (assuming SPC releases it somewhere besides NY/LA), and I’m reading the reviews just to see how the industry insiders are reacting – but I’m trying to remember most of these reviews are from folks who see hundreds of films a year and look at them through a different lens than I would.
I still plan to see it, since I want to see Tom’s Hank.
The title of the link sums up the review…
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/12/i-saw-the-light-review-dull-hank-williams-biopic-semi-electrified-by-tom-hiddleston
This review, like The Wrap, confuses me: the actual headline is more directly positive– “I Saw the Light review: Tom Hiddleston electrifies dull Hank Williams biopic” –and in the body of the review he is praised emphatically.
Some critics didn´t like the movie, but they are praising Tom´s performance, like this one:
” Hiddleston’s performance is gutsy and heartfelt, as playful and soulful as the best of Williams’s songs.”
timeout.com/london/film/i-saw-the-light
I feel badly for him because I think he put so much of himself into this, and this could have been the film that really established him as a major lead. He’s a pro, but I can imagine the frustration. I would take confort in the consistent praise for his performance, but it still sucks. There are so many things that you as an actor cannot control.
Looking forward to high rise. I already know I am going to love CP.
As you say, he is a professional and will take comfort in knowing that he did his job and the reviews are showing that he did his job well. The very thing that was questioned in the media all along – whether he could deliver a credible performance – has been answered affirmatively. The other big questions, which never got much coverage, involved the script and the direction, both handled by the same person, who was a producer on top of it all, were the ones that showed where the real problems lie. He seems to be a caring, considerate person, so he likely is concerned for Abrahams but going forward, none of this hurts or reflects badly on Tom. An actor has no control over the film itself.
SPC was putting this film into limited release any way and never intended it to be a major blockbuster. It is a small budget film. They’ll probably make back the money so that won’t reflect on him either.
Now, I need High-Rise to come out of this weekend with a US distributor. I need to shore up my Crimson Peak viewing plans. And I need the spring to bring me The Night Manager.
Tom is about to start working on a new franchise film and he has the next installment in his old franchise scheduled for filming next summer. In between those schedules, there should be some time for an interesting, good project. His career is doing fine. He has been picking varied roles that do show range.
Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy and Kevin Bacon have never been nominated for Oscars. They’re all good actors who are rarely out of work. Those are the type of careers that should be followed.
million or few more of us who don’t give two flying birds about the Oscars.
You may not care about Oscars, but he is an actor and they all care, even when they play coy.
This may not have been a huge film, but I kinda wonder if he thought it could be his chance.
Steady on, everyone – sure, the disappointing reviews are a bummer, but it’s not the end of the world. Let’s be realistic, ISTL is a niche, small-budget independent film with a relatively inexperienced director and the odds that it would be a modern masterpiece were ok, but not great. I think the fact that it was picked up by SPC and was being mentioned as an awards contender before even being released was a huge boost to everyone involved and we all got our hopes up (I know I did).
Tom’s performance is mentioned as the highlight of an average film, which won’t go unnoticed in the general scheme of things. At the very least, it might change Tom’s profile (at least partially) from the “the guy who plays Loki” to the “guy that kicked ass as Hank Williams”. And it may yet launch him into a different status within the industry. He’ll spend this week charming the pants off every reporter and industry-insider at all the festival events and then work on what comes next. This film is a building block in what is hopefully a long career, not the capstone.
Exactly. Be sure to give Colin your martini order.
Dara, I’m less concerned with the effect this would have on Tom’s career (none likely) and more sad that Hank’s story wasn’t told right.
Sounds like no Oscar nom for him then. Pity.
I’m consoling myself with the thought that most critics have praised him, and that he’s demonstrated his range. He’s a talented actor and will surely get other chances at Oscar-bait.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Crimson Peak and High Rise is generating buzz, so it’s not like this is a serious career set-back. Every actor has a few duds in their back-catalogue.
Like Jupiter Ascending or The Counselor.
or Fifth Estate :-p
😉
A major trade mag is now referencing the rumored romance and saying that the performances could be contenders. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/tiff-tom-hiddleston-rises-hank-822553
Eonline, JustJared, and other bigger sites are also pushing the romance and the rumors of the romance.
I think it is safe to say that it’s being used as marketing for the film. From the reviews, it looks like that is the only thing going for it at this point.
what ? the acting performances are what the film has to go for it.
P’enny, Colin is serving martinis on the veranda. Tom is going to tell us all about his TiFF experience so far. He says you can sit on the glider today. He had Colin remove and hide all ties. That’s why he isn’t wearing one in any of the pictures taken today.
Acting performances of two people who may or may not be dating each other. That is the angle they are selling. Not stellar reviews or buzz of the film. That is my point. These stories don’t appear on these sites without some kind of push. JustJared is a well-know, publicist friendly site.
Are you suggesting that this THR article is bought? If all media can be bought for the sake of promotion the movie, then why don’t the Pr just buy the media to make them give the movie a better review? Are you really thinking everyone else is idiot that they will go to see a bad movie just because there’s a rumor that the leads are dating? How exactly is selling a rumor works for this movie if the media already panned it? JustJared is a gossip site, The Hollywood Reporter is a trade site. Do you even know the difference?
Chill Anon222, I didn’t say that, so don’t put words in my mouth. I said their coupling or rumored coupling is being used to sell the film. Do you understand the difference.
For pete’s sake, learn to read.
If they use romance to PR this film, I am mercilessly side-eyeing both of them. That is so lame.
Given how they’ve behaved towards each other, I think it’s much more likely that JustJared and co are using them as click bait than that they’re using JustJared and co for PR.
They’ve really done nothing at TIFF to suggest that they’re trying to generate gossip, but once the gossip sites know that stories about then together will drive traffic of course that’s what they write!
They’ve been very professionally friendly in all the pictures from the photoshoots and the parties.
I wonder if Lizzy will attend the High Rise premier?
The lavender colored shirt from last week’s photoshoot made it to the EW party at TIFF tonight. He’s wearing it with a polka dot tie and a dark pin-striped three piece suit.
The suit looks blue in some pictures and darker in other pictures but it does actually fit him.
Pictures of Tom with Jessica C and Brie Larson at the EW party. He looks happy! EO is there but they are mixing separately.
And he is wearing the pretty purple shirt from last week’s photoshoot.
And candids with Emily Blunt and Chiwetel Ejiofor. All looking very happy.
I haven’t seen the candids – linky please?
Edit: Ignore me, I found them.
EO has appeared at the Sony Pictures Classics dinner. Wearing a giant hankie or part of a tablecloth from the looks of things. Tom hugged Elisabeth Moss instead.
and now he is hugging Eddie Redmayne. It’s quite adorable actually.
At least she finally changed out of the ensemble she wore to the morning Q&A of ISTL and all the Saturday photoshoots and the Entertainment Weekly party.
The woman has a sense of entitlement, that’s for sure is my contribution after yesterday. We’ve seen quite a bit of this here but she is up there with far more famous than her. I’m quite disliking her as of today, not my kind of actor and performer.
Mary Alice, that’s an interesting perspective. Care to elaborate?
Lovely stuff from the Instyle shoot at TIFF:
https://instagram.com/p/7jDoqIzA4K/
Gorg.
The buzz is morphing, and I’m okay with that.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/tiff-tom-hiddleston-rises-hank-822553
The praise has gone from ‘Performance was much better than the movie’ to ‘Performance might be good.enough for award voters to overlook how bad the movie is’–and that’s showing up in trade mags, not the gossips.
Wow there are just TOO many pics to link! Everyone and their brother AND sister wants a photoshoot with him! From hugging Eddie to looking ever so pleased to see Luke Evans, big smiles between him and Elisabeth Moss, lovely pics with Jessica Chastain and Brie Larson.
My fave photoshoot so far may be with photog Victoria Will–Methinks it is for Instyle as well, at least it’s the same clothes.
The one at the table? Yes, nice pictures from that. He wore the same clothes throughout the day on Saturday, starting with the morning showing of ISTL, through several photoshoots, and changed into the suit before the Entertainment Weekly party. He attended at least two parties and the Sony Pictures dinner last night.