Review of Bound for Glory (1976) by Chance F — 14 Jan 2010

It's refreshing to see a bio-pic that focuses more on the passion of the art of music and the power it holds over people, rather than another self-indulgent, self-destructive musician. Beautiful, hazy photography.

No exact passage of time is plastered over the scenes. Key moments in his adult life flow through the film as slow as molasses, allowing you to savor each one: leaving his family in Texas to go to California, learning how to train-hop all the way to L.

A., meeting Ronny Cox, a progressive radio personality & musician who gets him a record deal and on the air, his frustration between the record company limitations vs. his anxiousness to sing to the crop dusters and fight for unions, the falling apart of his marriage to Mary and all the colorful folks he meets along his journey.

David Carradine puts on a such captivating performance filled with a raw intensity, that it makes you wonder if he channeled Woody's ghost for the part. You feel he believes every emotion and every desire that Woody felt, especially when he sings some of the songs himself.

I have to admit that as much as I enjoyed James Mangold's " Walk the Line", I truly feel like this film, which has the same sort of plot line, does the artist more justice. I recommend this film to any lover of music with a message, Guthrie aficionados, and anyone who has ever had to chose between doing what is in your heart and doing what you must to survive.