As is so often the case with these biopics, I usually learn more about the subject of the movie by reading other comments on this site than from the actual film itself. I didn't know anything about the life of Hank Williams, so if you're inclined, I'd suggest reading some of the other reviews here as a starting point if you'd like to learn more.
One thing I appreciate in pictures like this is the occasional reference to time and place so one can gain some perspective on what else was happening during the same era. The only time you got that here was when Hank Williams (George Hamilton) called his wife Audrey (Susan Oliver) 'Miss Biggity of 1952' in their mansion following the broken back episode. And the New Years Day Concert scheduled for 1953 of course, but by then Williams' life and career were coming to a close.
But it was instructive to learn at least a little bit of Hank Williams' back story, depending on how much stock you can put in the telling. Peddling Gold Bottle Tonic for twenty bucks a week was certainly a step up from eighty five cents a day shining shoes, and with the way things are today, one can come away with an appreciation for how far we've advanced over the decades.
Still, the story has it's somber side, one in which a simple country boy rises to the top of the musical world, only to lose himself to fame, fortune and the extravagant life style that out-paces one's ability to come to terms with it.
As others here have mentioned, I too would like to see a modern day and certainly more accurate representation of the life of Hank Williams on film. There was 2012's "The Last Ride" with Henry Thomas in the lead role, but as I wrote in my review of that one - "If you don't know a whole lot about Hank Williams' career, this film isn't going to help". It has no back story on Williams' life to speak of and turns into a real downer of a picture by the time it's over. All of which means is, I guess we'll just have to wait.
One thing I appreciate in pictures like this is the occasional reference to time and place so one can gain some perspective on what else was happening during the same era. The only time you got that here was when Hank Williams (George Hamilton) called his wife Audrey (Susan Oliver) 'Miss Biggity of 1952' in their mansion following the broken back episode. And the New Years Day Concert scheduled for 1953 of course, but by then Williams' life and career were coming to a close.
But it was instructive to learn at least a little bit of Hank Williams' back story, depending on how much stock you can put in the telling. Peddling Gold Bottle Tonic for twenty bucks a week was certainly a step up from eighty five cents a day shining shoes, and with the way things are today, one can come away with an appreciation for how far we've advanced over the decades.
Still, the story has it's somber side, one in which a simple country boy rises to the top of the musical world, only to lose himself to fame, fortune and the extravagant life style that out-paces one's ability to come to terms with it.
As others here have mentioned, I too would like to see a modern day and certainly more accurate representation of the life of Hank Williams on film. There was 2012's "The Last Ride" with Henry Thomas in the lead role, but as I wrote in my review of that one - "If you don't know a whole lot about Hank Williams' career, this film isn't going to help". It has no back story on Williams' life to speak of and turns into a real downer of a picture by the time it's over. All of which means is, I guess we'll just have to wait.