Jackie King Movies

One of the most enduring stars in country music is Willie Nelson, who has performed with seeming tireless perseverance for decades. This program features the country crooner on the first stop of his European tour in the year 2000. What better location for the laid-back country star than Amsterdam. Nelson and the crowd are obviously enjoying each other's company, as he performs some of his best-loved songs, including "Whiskey River" and "Always on My Mind." ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

A good ol' boy comedy-drama, Songwriter flashes enough substance between the songs and the hijinks to qualify as a sometimes astute look into the darker areas of the music business. Willie Nelson plays Doc Jenkins, the title character, who conspires with longtime pal Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) to turn the tables on a shady promoter, Rodeo Rocky (Richard Sarafian), who has Doc signed to a contract that is one step short of indentured servitude. Lesley Ann Warren plays Gilda, an up-and-coming country chanteuse whom Doc is tutoring. The rest of the supporting cast is a mix of veteran character players (Rip Torn, Melinda Dillon) and musicians associated with Nelson (Mickey Raphael, Bee Spears, Jody Payne, Johnny Gimble). There are also plenty of musical numbers featuring Nelson and Kristofferson (solo and duets). The musicians/actors went on to co-star in two TV movies, A Pair of Aces and Another Pair of Aces, essentially playing the same kind of good ol' boy characters, though as detectives, not songwriters. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi