The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

best movie i've ever seen.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

I saw this film several times as a young teen. It's not the greatest film but it's not bad and a little bit underrated on IMDb. The country music film is a comedy-drama with a little action thrown in here and there. The movie also has a little romance in it as well. It is one of those lesser known films that I think more people would like if they took the time to view the movie.Fans of country-western films like "Urban Cowboy", "Cole Miner's Daughter", "Crazy Heart" and "Tender Mercies" might like this film.The movie is also a good recommendation for the people that like "hidden gems" - films that most people have forgotten even existed. Give "The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia" a chance one day when you are in the mood for something different than your normal film genre favorites.7/10

Let me say that most people who have reviewed "The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia" have never seen it (The person who said the entire movie can be summed up in 3 minutes, by listening to either the Vicki Lawrence or Reba versions is dead wrong). First off, it is a hard to find film (Not out on DVD). Next, the character that is the Big Brother in the song is named Andy and that is NOT the character here. In fact, the only thing that it has in common with the song is Big Brother dies, and Little Sister has a big gun (More on that later). Two questions: Does Little Sister (Amanda), kill anyone like she does in the song? Equally important is why does Big Brother die? I will not tell, but it is NOT the same as in the song. Watch the film (If you can find it) and learn why. On to the film itself: Lets start with what it has: The ultra-rare version of Tanya Tucker singing the title track, a great Dennis Quaid (Travis Child) performance, and seeing Kristy McNichol (Amanda), actually looking good for a change. It is about a brother and sister who are heading through rural Georgia, on their way to Nashville. Travis is the one with the talent, and Amanda with the brains and desire to get him to the top. Travis's problem is he likes whiskey and women too much, and Amanda is always getting him out of messes. There are three other main characters in this film: Melody (Sunny Johnson), who Travis falls hard for, Seth Ames (Don Stroud), a psychotic Sheriff, and Trooper Conrad ( Mark Hamill), who is the film's moral compass, who sees the direction that Travis is heading to (Self Destruction), and wants to save Amanda from the same fate (And ends up falling in love with her). Spoilers: There is a key moment in the film where Amanda got an audition for Travis with a Nashville Record Producer (He did not show because he was drunk), and instead, Amanda took his place, and was a hit, and the Producer said if she is in Nashville, look him up. Amanda was not happy that Travis did not show, but he explained that "This is your dream, it was never mine." (He would rather be with Melody). It was the last time she saw her brother alive. After she buried him, she packed up her dog and her few things and drove her pickup truck for Nashville. However, Trooper Conrad flagged her down, and she had no idea why. He comes out in boxer shorts and his hat, and says to her "I am not letting you go." And explained he actually hid a bag in her truck, and they headed off to start a new life together. The ending is interesting because it is a similar ending to another film I reviewed "Corvette Summer" where straight laced Hamill does the same thing he does here.... Abandons a comfort zone life, to head off into the unknown with a woman. I prefer this film, because it is good from start to finish, the beginning of "Corvette Summer" was not great (Although I prefer the character of Vanessa (Annie Potts) to Amanda(Looks and acting)), the performances of Quaid (See him sing "Amanda") and Stroud stand out, as does Tanya's title track, and one particular line from Conrad to Amanda I really like: "We belong together, we even shoot the same gun (44 Magnum)." Basically this rarity is much better than most people think. 10/10 Stars

I saw this film when it first came out in the early 1980s. I had a big crush on Kristy McNichol and just had to see this film. Somewhat an offbeat mixture of country humor and drama, The Night The Lights Went Off in Georgia starts off like a cornball comedy and ends up deadly serious.Kristy McNichol proved she could sing and was very good in "Baby Bye-Bye". Dennis Quaid was an up-coming star, and his rugged good looks, and boyish charm are backed up by his extremely well singing talents. Amazing that Quaid didn't become a country music singing star, I thought he was that good. Mark Hamill is pleasant as the love-struck cop, but it's an "ice-cream cone" performance. The late Sunny Johnson looked beautiful, and it's a real shame that this talented actress died so young.

'Sex, action, humour, suspense and great songs!' is what the video jacket reads on this 1981 vehicle for McNichol. The first thing I was expecting when I placed the battered old VHS tape into the VCR was Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise to show up with Loni Anderson. Well like those films there's bar room brawls, redneck humour and the handsome hero who finds time to chase a quick bit of T & A before they move on. Loosely based on the Reba Mcentire song of the same name, this movie is a bit more toned down than most of the southern redneck comedies of the early 80's, although there's still enough kitsch fun to make it worth the price of rental. Quaid and McNichol are pretty good in their roles and CAN sing, however Mark Hamill's 'performance' as Conrad, the deputy who tries the win the heart McNichol has to be seen to be believed. This charming little artifact is worth picking up as a double feature to something like 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)' or 'Rhinestone (1984)'.