misleo15

(2013-04-22 03:27:35)

As Real As It Gets!

Hank Jr has always been a favorite. After reading and seeing LivingProof it left no doubt in my mind he is no longer "Standing in theShadows of a Very Famous Man" HE IS THE MAN! We can all take a page out of Hank Jr's book, get up and be who you arenot who someone wants you to be. Once he became his own person hebecame on of the best country singers we have and ever will have.Richard Thomas "was" Hank Jr. in the movie. When I first read he was toplay the role, I couldn't see it. I had read the book and was going topass on the movie. Not because I didn't like Richard Thomas, I thoughtit wasn't possible for him to "be" Hank Jr. I am glad now I saw themovie and would gladly see it over again. I believed he was Hank Jr.may heart ached for what he was going through. I thought I was going toknow what to expect but this movie passed my Greatest Expectations.Thank you for the telling the story, writing the book and making themovie. Hank Jr isn't Jr anymore to me.

michaeljcarey

(2013-04-21 11:32:03)

The Legend of Bocephus

In 1964 George Hamilton was oddly, yet effectively, cast as Hank WilliamsSrin 'Your Cheatin' Heart'.In 1983 Richard Thomas was oddly, yeteffectively,cast as Hank Williams Jr in 'Living Proof:The Hank Williams Jr Story'.YoungHank had to deal with being the son of a country music legend, who was alsoone of America's greatest songwriters, and living in the giant shadow ofhisdimunitive father.Hank Jr toured endlessly from early childhood.As a youngchild He was often dressed like a Mini-Me of Hank Sr. while on stage andwould sing Hank Sr's greatest hits.As he grew into a young man, he wasconflicted over honoring his father's memory and a desire to follow his ownpath in music.In the film, Thomas is able to capture this quite well.Henever attempts to mimic Hank Jr's mannerisms but, seems to draw from hisownemotion to recreate Hank's.Touchingly done is the accident which nearlykilled him in 1971.This tragedy disfigured his facial features (His beardand sunglasses hide many of the resulting scars).He went through anextendedperiod of physical recovery and, many reconstructive surgeries to repairhisravaged face.Thomas was able to make this process believable and infusetheses scenes with Hank Jr's resolve and strength.After his recovery, HankJr became his own man.His music, while a respectful nod to the greatness ofhis father, is his own.The film is well scripted and acted.You will alsonotice and young, unknown, and very fetching Naomi Judd as a groupie whoseduces our young hero.This film is well worth your time.

queenofthe9nile

(2013-04-11 17:15:16)

A stellar performance by Richard Thomas.

Richard Thomas is at his very best. This is a must see for Thomas fans aswell as Hank Williams,JR. fans. I had never listened to his music butafterThomas' excellant portrayal of this tormented man I headed straight forthemusic stores.

krorie

(2013-04-11 10:06:35)

The Blues Man

This is an exceptional biographical film about a very gifted musician,singer, and songwriter, Hank Williams Jr., who was always in hisfather's shadow. Miss Audrey Williams, Hank Jr.'s mother, was possiblythe worst singer ever to cut a record (with the possible exception ofMrs. Miller and Leonard Nemoy). Yet she was an extremely domineeringbitchy woman who thought her talents were at least equal to those ofher ex-husband's and their son's. She was also a materialistic personwho wanted all that was coming to her and more from the royalties ofher late ex, who was a country music icon, and from controlling andmanaging Hank Jr.'s early career. "Living Proof" partly centers on theefforts of Hank Jr. to live his own life and to sing and make his ownmusic. Stepping from the shadow of Hank Sr. not only involved breakingfree from his father's music but also to break free from the "familytradition" of pills, booze, and women.Richard Thomas had to step out of the shadow of John Boy Walton to makethis movie. He succeeds as far as the acting goes--he, in fact, givesan outstanding performance--but he fails as far as the music goes. Whenhe tries to sing Hank Sr.'s songs there is no soul, no feeling to hismusic. It is as if he is merely singing notes to words on paper. Thenwhen Hank Jr. starts performing his own music rather than his father's,the real Hank Jr. takes over and dubs for Thomas. What a difference andwhat an improvement! Too bad the producers didn't let Hank Jr. dub themusic from the start. I have heard but have been unable to document itthat Hank Jr. refused to sing his father's music in the made-for-TVfilm for it was a time in his life when he was definitely doing his ownthing in the music industry. Other than this one flaw, the movie isexcellent in its acting and in its presentation of Hank Jr.'s life fromthe time of his father's untimely death up to the point where he almostdies from a fall while on a mountain climbing venture in Montana. Hiswhole face had to be reconstructed and one of his eyes was nearly gone,hence the reason for the dark glasses and beard. The soundtrack is agem containing some of Hank Jr.'s best songs, including "The BluesMan." Not only does Richard Thomas do an admirable acting job, the entirecast is great with Merle Kilgore playing himself. It must have beenstrange for Merle to reenact what really happened, for example when hefound Hank Jr. nearly dead in the pool from a drug overdose.If you can find "Your Cheatin' Heart" playing on a satellite station,it is interesting to watch it back to back with "Living Proof." Theyare excellent musical biographies of a father and a son, both giftedand talented performers. I don't think either is available on DVD orVHS.