Roadie
1980
Director Alan Rudolph directed this obscure cult concert comedy while still relatively unknown, and it's quite a rip-roarin' ride for viewers with a fondness for late-1970s nostalgia. Rocker Meat Loaf stars as Travis W. Redfish, a farm boy with a genius for electric engineering that he eventually parlays into the title of World'.. Read more
| Starring | Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Roy Orbison, Art Carney, Hank Williams |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Rudolph |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Roadie
Director Alan Rudolph directed this obscure cult concert comedy while still relatively unknown, and it's quite a rip-roarin' ride for viewers with a fondness for late-1970s nostalgia. Rocker Meat Loaf stars as Travis W. Redfish, a farm boy with a genius for electric engineering that he eventually parlays into the title of World's Greatest Roadie. En route, he falls for groupie Lola Bouilliabase (Kaki Hunter) and helps pursue her dream of meeting rock idol Alice Cooper (playing himself). Their pursuit of Alice leads them on a wild chase across the country, replete with 1970s road movie staples such as barroom brawls, car chases, and burly truckers. Blondie, Roy Orbison, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Hank Williams Jr. all make appearances, and Art Carney has a nice bit as Travis's father. There's surprisingly good performances all around, particularly Mr. Loaf's, in his first starring role. Rudolph reveals trademarks of his future films in this early feature--a celebration of American eccentricity and quirk-laden romance, which, along with the plethora of time-capsule perfect music, makes this rockin' cult entertainment.
| Starring | Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Roy Orbison, Art Carney, Hank Williams, Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper, Asleep at the Wheel, Asleep At The Wheel, Blondie, Kaki Hunter |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Rudolph |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 43 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 05 Apr 2004 Production year: 1980 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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The biggest novelty in this movie is the inspired casting of pop melodramatist Meat Loaf as a wide-eyed innocent lost in the corruptible world of rock 'n' roll. Proving in films like “Fight Club” what an affecting actor he can be, Meat Loaf brings an engaging credibility to the role of a Texas mechanic-turned-roadie, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a groupie who's been saving herself for Alice Cooper. But Robert Altman protégé, Alan Rudolph punctuates this straightforward tale with tiresome bar room brawls and noisy knockabout comic moments made bearable only by the occasional celebrity cameo from the likes of Blondie, Roy Orbison and, years before his joke appearance in Wayne's World, Alice Cooper.
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Meatloaf plays a Texas lunk called Travis W Redfish whose ability to fix electronics with manure and bits of potatoes... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
middle of the road, road movie bout the accidental roadie.
This is the story of travis Redfish, a simple farm boy,come truckdriver, that is born with the seemingly super power of being able to fix anything at all mechanical or electronical. After fixing a broken down camper van carrying a 16 year old groupie Lola & others to a concert by Hank Williams jnr he gets coerced into driving them the rest of the way to the gig & subsequently helping set up the P.A. He thus becomes...'THE ROADIE' Through a series of events all of which he falls into through no concious action of his own, his reputation spreads and he gains the title the worlds greatest Roadie. Along the way he falls for Lola who is on a mission to meet and give her virginity to Alice cooper and be the worlds greatest groupie.
The film is a homeage to late 70's country rock and seems to be not much more than a vehicle with which to introduce Meatloafs acting talents to the audience. All the formulaic bar room brawls, car chases, burly truckers & redneck yokels you would expect to see in this type of movie are represented, leaving this to be quite pedictible. If you are a fan of this era music you will enjoy this simply for the many cameo performances from such big names as Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, the highlight and what redeemed it for me, Blondies rendition of Ring of Fire by Jonny Cash, to which she does poetic justice!
In short the plot was a little thin, the acting exaggerated & the ending predicitble. This became an obscure cult comedy in certain circles, so
Watch this if you are a fan of Meatloaf, 70's rock, or just want to see a representation of American eccentricity & music of the time. -
Most recent members' review
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Ok
For those who long for the 70's this is for you.
For Alice Cooper completists -
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