Eddie & The Cruisers (1983)

EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS (1983)

Dir: Martin Davidson

My dad loved this strange little film. Nostalgia colors it as one of those great rock movies in our household, right up there with Tommy (1975), Grease (1978), and Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). But having watched Eddie as an adult a few times, I appreciate this film now for a wholly new reason. I enjoy this film because it shouldn’t exist. What I mean is that the story isn’t about anything of rock star importance. When you strip down all the trappings of a rock and roll biopic, the bare bones story is that of a band’s manager that wants to track down an unreleased album that’s been missing for over a decade. The manager uses several sleazy tactics to get to it and along the way we learn about the dynamics of the band, but there’s no big comeback. At least not on-screen. Everything that we wait for in the film is summed up in the last fifteen seconds of the film. Those brief closing moments send chills and trigger a dopamine rush that tricks you into thinking you’ve just seen a great film. I think that’s what I love so much about Eddie And The Cruisers, it cons you into believing you’re watching a completely different film then the one you’re actually watching. And the music. The golden oldies covers are fun, but the real power of the film comes from John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band’s “On The Darkside.” My dad owned the vinyl, tape, and CD. To this day, when this song comes on, I’m usually the only one singing along. And that’s just a crime.