The Thing Called Love

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Peter Bogdanovich directs. Peter James behind the camera. Rodney Crowell scores. Terry Stokes cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

• 1Earned back only 7% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
• 233 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
• 3Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, shot by Peter James. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
• 4Original score by Rodney Crowell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
• 5Editor Terry Stokes shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
• 6River Phoenix and Samantha Mathis and Dermot Mulroney carry the top of the cast.
• 7Marketing tagline: "Stand by your dream.".
• 8IMDB entry: tt0108327 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography

Peter James

Original score

Rodney Crowell

Editing

Terry Stokes

Production design

Michael Seymour

Costume design

Rita Riggs

Makeup / hair

Pamela S. Westmore

Runtime

116 min · 1h 56m

Aspect ratio (typical)

1.37:1 (Academy)

Status

Released

Budget

$14,000,000

Box office

$1,029,721

Return

7% of budget

Original language

EN

Certification (US)

PG-13

IMDB

The Thing Called Love (1993) ↗

Rotten Tomatoes

59% 🥫 Rotten

Metacritic

46/100

IMDB rating

6.4/10 · 9,444 votes

MPAA

PG-13

Also by

Peter Bogdanovich

• 
  Picture Windows

  1995 · ★ 10.0
• 
  The Sopranos

  1999 · ★ 8.7
• 
  Rescuers: Stories of Courage - Two Women

  1997 · ★ 8.5
• 
  Picture Windows: Song of Songs

  1994 · ★ 8.0
• 
  The Mystery of Natalie Wood

  2004 · ★ 8.0
• 
  Paper Moon

  1973 · ★ 7.9

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

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Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

• 

  ▶
  The Thing Called Love Director's Cut - Trailer

  Trailer

Community reviews

What people are saying

• Wuchak2022-05-29
  ★ 7/10

  River Phoenix shines before passing on, plus the lovely Samantha Mathis Several 20-somethings try to make it in the country music business in Nashville: Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis), fresh from New York City; Connecticut cowboy Kyle (Dermot Mulroney); ditzy but genuine Southern belle Linda Lue (Sandra Bullock); and the bursting-with-creative-energy-and-confidence James Wright (River Phoenix). "The Thing Called Love" (1993) failed miserably at the box office but it's a pretty solid drama revolving around the music biz in Nashville. The film isn't redneck-y at all (not that there's anything wrong with that, lol); the people are genuine and likable, if sometimes annoying. The movie has a hip flair and is filled with newer country music (for 1993, that is). Aside from trying to make it in the music business the story naturally revolves around Kyle and James' attraction to Miranda and their ensuing rivalry. The film never cops a meanspirited vibe, despite one brawl. The viewer gets the impression that these are good, talented people who will remain friends no matter what. A couple of things make the film worthwhile, for me anyway. One is the magnetic performance of River Phoenix, who was 22 during filming. His face looks like Quorthon of Bathory (when he was in his 20s), if you're familiar with that obscure metal band. He exudes the brooding charisma of Marlon Brando, just different. Unfortunately, three and a half months after the movie's release River was found dead outside an L.A. nightclub due to an overdose. He was only 23. Samantha Mathis (Miranda) was dating him at the time. Speaking of whom, Samantha is the second key highlight of this flick wherein she even outshines Sandra Bullock. Keep in mind that this was the year before Bullock's breakout with "Speed." Samantha's beauty is captured well in a couple scenes, like around the 40-minute mark when Linda Lue's beau is passed out on the bed. It's too bad Samantha never broke-out, like Sandra. Her most popular flick is arguably "Broken Arrow" (1996) and then she pretty much disappeared from feature films. A few country stars have cameos, like Trisha Yearwood and Pam Tillis. "The Thing Called Love" may not be a great country music film like "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1980) but it's pretty solid and highlighted by the brooding charisma of River Phoenix. He was great and it's a pity he died so prematurely. The film runs 1 hour, 56 minutes, with the the Director's Cut running a couple minutes longer. It was mostly shot in Nashville, with one scene done at Graceland in Memphis and another in Santa Clarita, California (the bus stop / cafe sequence where Miranda writes a song). GRADE: B-/B

  Read full review ↓

Production companies

Who made it

• 

  Paramount Pictures

  US

• 

  Davis Entertainment

  US

Key crew

• Second Assistant DirectorRuth A. Redfern
• Associate ProducerSteve Foley
• CastingDianne Crittenden
• Costume DesignRita Riggs
• ProducerJohn Davis
• Co-ProducerDarlene K. Chan
• Executive ProducerGeorge Folsey Jr.
• First Assistant DirectorJerry Ballew
• Production DesignMichael Seymour
• EditorTerry Stokes
• Set DecorationCloudia Rebar
• Sound MixerJames E. Webb
• ADR MixerBob Baron
• Makeup ArtistPamela S. Westmore
• HairstylistVirginia G. Hadfield
• Title DesignerSusan Bradley

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

• country music
• love triangle
• singer-songwriter
• nashville, tennessee

Release history · US

When it landed

• Theatrical1993-08-27PG-13

Also known as

International titles

• Quella cosa chiamata amoreIT
• 爱情这玩意CN
• O Grande SonhoPT
• Nashville BluesFR
• Nashville Blues (The Thing Called Love)FR