Songwriter (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1984, Songwriter is a drama and music film directed by Alan Rudolph, running about 94 minutes. “He got mad when they took his money and his business. But when they tried to take his songs... Nobody ever had a better time getting even.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Doc Jenkins may be one of country music's most beloved stars, but his private life is a wreck. He's split up with his longtime partner, Blackie Buck, a country outlaw with a heart of gold. Doc's singer-wife, Honey Carder, has thrown him out of the house. And now he's gotten involved with a sleazy music manager, Rodeo Rocky, who's out to steal his material. Teaming up with Blackie, Doc takes drastic measures to win back his family and reclaim his songs.
Who’s in it. Songwriter stars Willie Nelson as Doc Jenkins, Kris Kristofferson as Blackie Buck, Melinda Dillon as Honey Carder and Rip Torn as Dino McLeish, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, Songwriter has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Songwriter page.
If you liked it. Fans of Songwriter tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Songwriter (1984)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Songwriter change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Songwriter worth watching?
- Songwriter holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Songwriter?
- Songwriter stars Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Melinda Dillon, Rip Torn and Lesley Ann Warren.
- When was Songwriter released?
- Songwriter was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 94 minutes.