Film & TV

DVD Review: I Saw the Light

A dramatised biopic on the life of country and western singing legend Hank Williams, following the last 6 years of his life until his untimely death at 29yo.

Country and Western star Hank Williams is a sensation even today, more than 60 years after his untimely death at 29 years of age. With 36 hit songs and over 11 million records sold, he remains an icon of the genre. Songs like Your Cheatin’ Heart, Honky Tonk, Hey Good Lookin’, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry and I Saw the Light remain favourites for many and can still often be heard on the radio around the globe.

This dramatized biopic, named after his hit gospel song of 1948, follows the last six years of Williams’ life when he reached the heights of popularity. It traces his music career, his marriage to Audrey, his family life, and his alcoholism. What it fails to deliver is any real scoop or insight into the man himself. We learn little of his history and none of his inspiration or motivation.

Marc Abraham wrote the screenplay and directs what is essentially an enjoyable musical tribute to Hank Williams without really enlightening fans. Events remain surprisingly unemotional for a biography and retells what any fan would probably know already. Perhaps he took the advice of Williams’ “masterpiece of nonsense” song, Mind Your Own Business!

That doesn’t detract from the entertainment value of the film however, with the songs of Williams being a particular highlight amidsts the period drama of family life and career.

Tom Hiddleston is outstanding as the singer and voices the songs himself, providing a proud tribute to Hank Williams. He leads a strong cast that includes Elizabeth Olsen as William’s wife, and is a surprisingly good singer in William’s style. Again, those who are willing to suffice with decent cover versions of William’s songs are unlikely to be let down.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Rating out of 10:  6

I Saw the Light will be released on DVD on 2 August 2016.

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