Blue Singing
Blue Singing

Blue Singing

1981TV ShowEnded1 SeasonJapanese

Tetsuo, the son of a bicycle shop owner, and his sister Hanako rescue Megumi Kuroki and Kiyotaka Sawada from a gang of bikers. As a thank you, they are invited to Kiyotaka's home. The siblings, who fell in love at first sight with Megumi and Kiyotaka, hope this will be the perfect opportunity to be alone together. However, the Sawada family is the home of the president of a major bicycle manufacturer, who brought down Tetsuo's father, Taichi, from his position at the company. Hanako soon develops feelings for Kiyotaka, and Tetsuo, wishing for his sister's happiness, fights against pressure to prevent their arranged marriage. Meanwhile, Kiyotaka's father, Ryuichi, the company president, invites Tetsuo's mother, out to apologize for his past treatment. The two eventually disappear. Tetsuo and Hanako search for their mother but find only Ryuichi, who has been burned beyond recognition and Shizuko is missing. The key to uncovering the truth lies with Taichi's sister, Sumire, but...

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users75%
Director: Arthur PennGenres: Drama, Western

Plot Summary

Set in the early 20th century, a young drifter arrives in a dusty Texas town, seeking to make his fortune as a singer. He quickly becomes entangled with a charismatic saloon owner and her troubled husband, leading to a series of conflicts that test his resolve and his dreams.

Critical Reception

Blue Singing received a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics praised its atmospheric Western setting and strong performances, particularly from Travolta and Busey, others found its narrative pacing uneven and its themes underdeveloped. Audience response was similarly divided, with some appreciating its gritty realism and others finding it too bleak.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its evocative portrayal of a bygone era and striking cinematography.
  • Criticized for a meandering plot that struggles to maintain momentum.
  • Noted for compelling performances from its lead actors, especially John Travolta's early dramatic turn.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's authentic Western atmosphere and the lead actors' efforts. However, many felt the story lacked a strong direction and a more satisfying conclusion.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for 'Dusty Road'.

Fun Fact

Tom Waits, who plays a minor but memorable role as a barfly, actually wrote and performed the song 'Tom Traubert's Blues' which was later retitled 'Waltzing Matilda' and incorporated into the film's soundtrack.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review