Review of Blaze (1989) by David F — 24 Jul 2011
Ron Shelton, best known for his sports comedies like 'Bull Durham', 'Tin Cup' and 'White Men Can't Jump' switches gears with this colorful, outrageous, and ultimately poignant story of a most unlikely romance, loosely based on the exploits of legendary Louisiana Governor Earl Kemp Long and his relationship with beautiful burlesque queen Blaze Starr.
Although busty and perky Lolita Davidovich shines in the title role, this film is really Newman's - his Earl Long is a Rabelaisian force of nature, a tireless and unapologetic campaigner and a shrewd politician - the type of man who, after failing in bed, apologizes 'for the Great State of Louisiana'.
Shelton does a fine job recreating the steamy and flavorful essense of a Deep South on the cusp of the tremendous upheavals brought on by the burgeoning civil-rights movement. The liberties the film takes with the facts can be forgiven as serving the greater good - exaggeration and big-fish tales seem perfectly appropriate to the subject.
This review of Blaze (1989) was written by David F on 24 Jul 2011.
Blaze has generally received mixed reviews.
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