Product Details

• Actors: River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, Sandra Bullock, K.T. Oslin
• Directors: Peter Bogdanovich
• Writers: Carol Heikkinen
• Producers: Darlene K. Chan, George Folsey Jr., John Davis, Steve Foley
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302987865
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,864 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If there was a universal collective, albeit repressed, dream, it would probably be to become a successful singer. People would take that singing in the car, singing in the shower, and even singing in the rain, and have it be their life's love and work. The Thing Called Love uses this popular aspiration as its setting and examines the lives of four young people hoping to make it in the country music universe. At the center is earnest Miranda Presley--no relation--(Samantha Mathis), the pretty but untalented Linda Lue (Sandra Bullock), the intense and talented James (River Phoenix), and the sweet and prolific Kyle (Dermont Mulroney). Popular country stars make appearances: K.T. Oslin (as Lucy, the owner of the Bluebell, where open-mike auditions are held), Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Katy Moffatt, Jo-El Sonnier, Pam Tillis, Kevin Welch, and even Trisha Yearwood. The film's not merely focused on the rich musical milieu and its talented cast. It also carefully examines the dynamic between friends who are also competitors, as well as a realistic love triangle between the leads. The Thing Called Love is primarily known as one of River Phoenix's last performances, but even if curiosity alone brings audiences to the movie, they'll soon be drawn into the fresh tale of four young people pursuing their dreams. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have and must-see, June 28, 2006

By 

Orio (Salsomaggiore Terme, PR Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thing Called Love (Director's Cut) (DVD)

If I had to choose ONE movie to show and teach students the secrets of great actors-directing, it would be this one. The destiny of Peter Bogdanovich is amazing: celebrated as one of the world's best directors in the early 70s, he fell into disgrace because of private problems in the 80s, and rarely got a chance to direct anymore except for TV. Somehow it reminds me of the destiny of Wim Wenders, also celebrated as the new big thing in the 70s, and much disregarded today.
Both judgements were excessive. They probably weren't the best directors in the world in the 70s - but surely aren't the worst today.

This movie is a little, much under-rated and overlooked, certainly humble and understated gem. Bogdanovich shows here what it means to direct actors in a way that enhances their performances and brings out deep emotions. This is not a superficial movie. Instead, it is one that bears repeated viewings. And it has much of what life has: truth, emotions, changes. I especially like the ending. It seems to get back to the beginning, but it's not. Somehow, everything is there, but everything has changed forever. It's a happy ending, but bittersweet too. And like real life, it goes on, on a road where you can't follow, just like those friends you had and never met again, or just like your past memories.

I've been waiting for a decade to get a dvd of this movie. And I bought it immediately as it came out, because it is really unsure that they may ever reprint this once the first bunch is gone. So get it, don't miss it, this is the best advice I can give. Don't miss the experience of this movie. This is no special fx movie. This is actors cinema at its best. Something rare.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars underrated film, December 20, 2004

By 

Narizdura La Carretera (El Lay, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thing Called Love [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the best films about the music business that I've seen. Good performances, great music, and an above-average script -- I don't understand why this film isn't more well known, and why it hasn't been released on DVD.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The real Thing Called Love, July 25, 2005

By 

Amy Kurland "Owner, The Bluebird Cafe" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Thing Called Love [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Thing Called Love is about a real place in Nashville (The Bluebird Cafe) and is very true to life about the experiences of the young songwriters who come here to try to make it. Nashville doesn't have quite this many cowboy hats or this much line dancing, but the heartbreak and the excitement that is the daily life of the up and coming artists is right on. You might want to read more about the real place in "The Bluebird Cafe Scrapbook" which has a chapter about the making of this film. Also, some of the real artists in it have great albums out, including Kevin Welch and Pam Tillis.
I highly recommend this movie for people thinking of moving to Nashville to try to make it.