CROSSROADS
US, 1986, Colour, 96 minutes.
Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Jami Gertz, Joe Morton, Robert Judd, Harry Carey Jnr.
Directed by Walter Hill.
Crossroads is the story of a 17-year-old who has a love for blues guitar. He has studied up some of the greats of the '30s and '40s and finds that one is in a home in New York State. He befriends the man and together they go on an odyssey to Mississippi, memories of the past, and the young man learning about the blues from the experience of the old man rather than from books. Ralph Macchio is the young man. Joe Seneca is very lively as the old man. Jami Gertz appears as a young girl on the road to California and stardom in dancing.
There is a mixture of flashbacks in sepia to the past. There is a fantasy sequence at the end - the old man is alleged to have done a deal with the devil for his musical talent and the young man has to experience a parallel.
The film is leisurely, probably more entertaining to an American audience and jazz aficionados. However, it has a lot of charm and interest - though the final contest with the devil is somewhat confusing.
Ry Cooder provides the musical score and also plays the blues guitar. Direction is by Walter Hill, better known for his strong films like The Streetfighter, The Warriors, Southern Comfort, The Long Riders, 48 Hours and Red Heat. This is much more gentle.
1.Entertaining piece of Americana? The '80s, the '30s? The musical tradition from Mississippi? The blues?
2.The New York settings, on the road, the bus stations, the American cities, landscapes? Mississippi and the towns, the homes, the clubs? The contrast between the sepia memories of the past and the colourful present?
3.The musical score, the blues guitar work? Classical guitar? The quality of the musical score?
4.The title, the picture of the crossroads, the visualising in the past and the present? The crossroads as a quest? Where the young man did his deal with the devil? Where the young man had to find out about life?
5.The sepia sequences of the '30s: at the opening of the film, in the old man's memory? The streets, the roads, the crossroads, the car, the young man with glasses, the big car and its driver, the contract and the deal? The meaning of the crossroads?
6.Ralph Macchio as Eugene, age, studies, performance, classical guitar? His love for the blues? Wanting to find the old man? Being refused at the hospital? Getting the job, cleaning the floors, the encounter with the old man, talking, challenging him? The old man's ridicule? Discussing the past, the music, the episodes? The old man and his promise for the 30th song? The bargain about getting out of the hospital? The tactics for getting out, evading the pursuers, the taxi and on the road? Leaving New York?
7.The bus trip, the communication between the two? Memphis, the bankroll not being enough? The decision to go on the road? King of the hoboes? Hitch-hiking, on the back of trucks with animals? Into the towns, playing music outside the clubs? The encounter with Lloyd, with Frances? The old mansion and Frances going along with them, their taking her ride? Lloyd and his attack on Frances? The fight and the rescue? Going into the old town, the black club and the white club? Eugene and Frances in the white club, the gun, the drink, the fights, the barman and their having to get out? Frances pick-pocketing the man and giving the purse back? Going to the black club, the black people not wanting them? Willie and his performance, their all playing together? Achievement? The old house, the motel, the barn - and Eugene's liaison with Frances? The effect on him, on her? Her going away quietly to California and leaving Eugene alone?
8.The question as to the identity of Willie, was he the person he said he was? That Eugene claimed? Doubts, defiance? The journey and the acclamation of the people for Willie's music? The effect on him of going back to Mississippi? His dreams, memory of the devil, the contract, his fears? Going back to the old brothel? The young girl, the memories? Being driven back to the crossroads?
9.The crossroads experience: the music, the club, the driver with the flash woman? The devil's assistant? The modern guitarist, rivalry with Eugene, the modern style and the guitarist winning? Eugene moving to classical style? Outdoing the guitarist and his failure? Joining with Willie in playing the blues? Discovering himself, his talent, breaking free and not selling his soul?
10.The picture of the warmth of the friendship, its ups and downs, guidance and education? The friendship between the generations? Learning by book and by experience?
11.The background of the South, the blues, black and white, black music, the response of the whites? The changes from the '50s to the '80s?
