Crazy (2007 film)
Crazy is a 2007 independent feature biographical musical/drama film starring Waylon Payne and Ali Larter.
Crazy | |
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Film poster | |
Directed by | Rick Bieber |
Produced by | Rick Bieber Alan Cohen Richard Mann Joel McDonell Ray Scherr Steve Vai |
Written by | Rick Bieber Jason Ehlers Brent Boyd |
Starring | Waylon Payne Ali Larter Brad Hawkins Lane Garrison Scott Michael Campbell David Conrad John Fleck Timothy Omundson Brent Briscoe Beau Baxter Raymond O'Connor Eden Rountree Silas Weir Mitchell |
Music by | Hank Garland Larry Klein Willie Nelson |
Cinematography | Craig Haagensen |
Edited by | Tom Rolf |
Distributed by | FN Crazy Film LLC (independent) |
Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Inspired by the life of Nashville guitarist Hank Garland, the movie was filmed from January 13 to February 12, 2005, in Los Angeles, California.
Plot
Crazy is the story of a legendary guitar player who emerged from Nashville in the 1950s. Blessed with incomparable, natural talent, Hank Garland quickly established his reputation as the finest sessions player in Nashville. Artists such as Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, The Everly Brothers, and Elvis Presley all sought Hank’s brilliant playing for their recordings. Moving effortlessly from country, to rock-a-billy, to jazz, Hank was also quickly recognized by the likes of Dave Brubeck, Gary Burton, Joe Morello, and Joe Benjamin.
The Nashville scene was a unique place in the 1950s – dominated by a small group of executives and musicians who controlled the studios, labels and unions. Hank, in his arrogance and pursuit of musical excellence, often came into conflict with the business, social and racial culture he found both restrictive and frequently frustrating.
Some people say that a near-fatal car accident, which Hank suffered, was a result of tragic response to dreams unfulfilled. Others will say that the subsequent electro-shock therapy, which was ordered by his doctors, may have contributed to ending Hank’s playing career at the age of thirty-one. Four years later his wife dies in her own car accident.
Historians have questioned the accuracy some of the movie's points, noting that Garland was a member of Nashville's fabled "A-Team" of session players, with whom he socialized in the 1950s, and who rallied around him in the wake of his accident.
Cast
- Waylon Payne as Hank Garland - Guitarist
- Ali Larter as Evelyn Garland - Hank's wife
- Lane Garrison as Billy Garland - Hank's brother
- Scott Michael Campbell as Billy Byrd
- John Fleck as Lloyd Copas
- Timothy Omundson as Paul Howard
- David Conrad as Ryan Bradford
- Silas Weir Mitchell as Neal - Studio manager
- Eden Rountree as Thelma
- Raymond O'Connor as Jimmy
- Beau Baxter as Jerry - Record producer
- Brent Briscoe as Doug Johnson - Head musician's union
- Ryan Cross as Joe Benjamin - Black bass player
Awards
Crazy won the Best of Fest award at the Real to Reel International Film Festival in 2008.
References
- "Director Rick Bieber at the Crazy movie screening after party at The..." Getty Images. Retrieved 16 June 2020.