Armstrong is perfect in his role, tight script with some interesting themes and a nice payoff at the end.
Just too dang bad they went with Willie in the lead role. He could get out-acted by a couple of planks bound together. IMHO only Chuck Norris rivals the real "Red-Headed Stranger" in wooden acting.
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I never thought of it that way. When I saw this movie, I just took it for what it was and didn't second guess. Don't get me wrong, I "what if" a lot of movies I see. I suppose another actor could've done a better job. How about Sam Elliot? It seems to me he could've been perfect since his wife is already in the film.
Then again, the Willie Nelson casting is kind of what made the movie quarky and memorable. Cast a usual western staple and you might have ended up with just another western. I liked the off-beat casting at the time.
I don't think it was that bad.
It was Willie's story to tell, anyway.
I thought he did a pretty good job, considering.
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It was a movie based on his album so he got to play the role he wrote
I am broke, I spent my money on fast cars, guns, and ammo, they rest my money was wasted
First of all, most movies aren't great. But this one is still good. I saw it in the theater when it came out and a few other times on TV down through the years. I didn't feel ripped off. Willie did the best he could.
The only thing I couldn't get around was Morgan Fairchild as his wife.
No way would she have ever considered that life. They should have cast a plain looking woman.
Not a minger, but not a beauty like Morgan. Perhaps she could have been a widow with a child?
Who, having limited opportunities back east, decided to opt for a Christian man with a stable moral life to offer. Then her betrayal and subsequent end would have made more sense and had more impact.
Also, I'd have included a narrative or back story revealing Willie's character had once been a bad man who saw the light and changed his ways. Along the lines of Clint Eastwood's William Muny.
Then Willie "snapping", and reverting to his former self could've worked quite well.
The best thing about this movie though is R.G. Armstrong. The casting of him as Sheriff Scolby was inspired.
I wish they'd reissue this on DVD/BluRay.