Sweet Dreams

Introduction

Here`s a plot about an up-and-coming singer trying to make it into the big time, is slightly hindered by an abusive, alcoholic (but loving) second husband, faces one or two setbacks on the way to success, but dies tragically in a plane crash before her time (not as if there IS a time for this to happen of course).

There is, naturally, far more to Patsy Cline`s story, but that`s basically all we have to go by in this DVD release.

Video

A very passable full-screen image (in that the anamorphic transfer fills the screen in a very satisfying manner, and doesn`t offend in any way).

Audio

Very good indeed. The arrangements of Cline`s songs are treated well, with the sound spread nicely around the speakers.

Features

...Does impression of tumbleweed blowing down an empty street in Nashville...

Conclusion

If it were not for some decent performances and one or two famous tunes, I`m pretty sure this film would have sunk without trace. Making a biopic of a well known figure from a long time ago is all well and good, and a sprinkling of artistic licence can be expected, but when the plot dwells on some arguably dodgy `facts` about domestic abuse; is less than accurate with chronological events; bound up in a sub-standard screenplay with so-so direction, and made only 20 or so years after the event when close family, friends and a huge fan base are still around, then I`m afraid you`re just asking for trouble.

When Lange isn`t lip-synching badly to Cline`s own voice (in most of the featured songs), her performance is reliable, but nothing special. I`m surprised this was deemed worthy enough for a Best Actress nomination for the 1985 Oscars. Ed Harris (as the unfortunately named Charlie Dick), however, shows some real class in a relatively early film role, and Ann Wedgeworth (as Cline`s mother) is very good indeed.

It`s to be expected that the music is going to take centre stage in such an undertaking, and those who like their Country with a bit of crossover won`t be disappointed, as it`s really Patsy Cline singing (with one or two exceptions). It`s shame that Charles Gross`s incidental score seems completely out of place with the early sixties setting.

This may just pass muster for anyone who isn`t too interested in the biographical facts, and just enjoy Cline`s music (of course you have to wait until the end before we`re treated to `Crazy`), but as a serious in-depth insight into the singer and what made her tick, then it`s a non-starter.

Musical biopics of this period have been far better served from `Coal Miner`s Daughter`, and more recently, `Walk the Line`.