Based on the myth that blues legend Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil, this is essentially a musical version of The Karate Kid(1984).
Instead of Pat Morita as the sage imparting wisdom to fresh-faced Ralph Macchio, we have Joe Seneca as Willie Brown, an old compadre of Johnson’s who persuades gifted young guitarist Eugene Martone to take him home to Mississippi.
En route, Eugene (Macchio) meets and falls for sexy runaway Frances (Jami Gertz).
Only Seneca’s yarns and Ry Cooder‘s lazy score make the trek tolerable, though it’s infinitely more entertaining than the ludicrous finale, in which Martone trades riffs with Frank Zappa‘s old axeman, Steve Vai.
Director Walter Hill was clearly having an off day.
Eugene Martone
Ralph Macchio Willie Brown
Joe Seneca Frances
Jami Gertz Scratch
Robert Judd Scratch’s assistant
Joe Morton Jack Butler
Steve Vai Lloyd
Dennis Lipscomb Bartender
Harry Carey Jr Sheriff Tilford
John Hancock Dr Santis
Allan Arbus
Director
Walter Hill
Video
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Eugene Martone
Scratch’s assistant
