ROADIE

US, 1980, 106 minutes, Colour.
Meatloaf, Kaki Hunter, Art Carney.
Directed by Alan Rudolph.

A cinema oddity. It probably does not appeal to a wide range audience but is the type of film that has a cult following. This could be especially true in the United states.

It is a vehicle for singer Meatloaf who had appeared in such films as Rocky Horror Picture Show and Scavenger Hunt. He has his own particular style - but is seen to some advantage in this film and is more sympathetic than in his previous films. Kaki Hunter is an attractive heroine as the groupie. Art Carney does another of his comic turns as Corpus C. Redfish, Meatloaf's father, and the patriarch of an extraordinarily eccentric Texas household. The dilapidated house is full of all kinds of inventions made by Corpus. His wife and daughter seem slovenly around the house and satirise the broad Texan way of life.

The film shows Meatloaf in his ordinary life in Texas, his way with electronics and his being taken up by a touring group as a Roadie, that is, someone who accompanies the musical group and is able to work for them. The females who travel and want to be with the celebrities are Groupies. The film satirises both roadies and the groupies and yet shows some affection for them.

The film also offers the opportunity for Meatloaf to sing. However, there are quite a number of popular music stars who each have an opportunity to perform in rock concert style. Emphasis in given to Blondie and Deborah Harry. There is also an amusing guest performance by Alice Cooper. Other performers include Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jnr., Asleep At The Wheel, Alvin Crow and the Pleasant Valley Boys.

The film satirises American society - from the odd family and its eccentricities to the rock and roll circuit and concerts. There is a moving around America from Los Angeles to New York and various places in between.

Travis W. Redfish, played by Meatloaf, was originally a character in a newspaper column written by Boy Medlin. He collaborated with Michael Ventra and Zalman King and director Allan Rudolph in elaborating the character for this screen play. Director Rudolph was a co-worker with Robert Altman for such films as Buffalo Bill And The Indians. Under Altman's patronage he directed his first feature, Welcome to L.A., a critical if not popular success. His second feature was Remember My Name with Geraldine Chaplin and Anthony Perkins. This is his third feature.

The film has some appeal for those interested in rock and roll music and travelling celebrities. However, in its exaggeration and eccentricity (and loudness) it moves into the area of specialist and cult film.