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Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Jami Gertz, Joe Morton, Robert Judd ... see more see more... , Steve Vai , Dennis Lipscomb , Harry Carey Jr. , John Hancock , Allan Arbus , Gretchen Palmer , Tim Russ , Akosua Busia , Diana Bellamy , Tex Donaldson , Terry L. Evans , Al Fann , Robert Miranda , Leslie Morris , Diane Robin , Jason Ross , J.W. Smith , Otis Taylor , Wally Taylor , Royce Wallace , Ed Walsh , Alan Lee Graf , Angela Louise Robinson , Gloria Delaney , Guy Killum , John W. Price , Winifred Freedman , Frank Frost , Deborra Hampton , Le Van Hawkins , Richard Shubby Holmes , Debra Laws , Agnes Narciso , Jo Marie Payton-France , Natasha Peacock , Johnny M. Reyes , Robin Townsend , Karen Huie

A passion for blues music is evident in this drama based on a contest-winning script by former blues musician John Fusco -- and featuring one of the decade's best-received motion picture soundtracks, ... read more read more...written and performed by Ry Cooder. Eugene Martone Ralph Macchio is a classically trained guitarist who desperately wants to locate a long-lost blues song. At a Harlem nursing home, Eugene finds Willie Brown (Joe Seneca), a legendary blues man who may be able to help him. Eugene becomes part of the master guitarist's scheme to reclaim his soul from the Devil, which he sold in exchange for musical greatness at a rural crossroads many decades before. Making their way across the Mississippi Delta, the duo meets Frances (Jami Gertz), a runaway who becomes a love interest for Eugene. After launching his career with the sale of his script for Crossroads (1986), which is loosely based on the mythical character of Faust and a fable involving real-life blues legend Robert Johnson (played in the film by Tim Russ), Fusco went on to write the highly successful Young Guns (1988). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

9,782 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

14 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Walter Hill

Release Date: March 14, 1986

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DVD Release Date: August 10, 2004

Stats: 727 reviews

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Joe Morton Ralph Macchio Jami Gertz Crossroads Ralph Macchio Ralph Macchio Ralph Macchio Jami Gertz Ralph Macchio Steve Vai Ralph Macchio Jami Gertz Ralph Macchio Ralph Macchio Jami Gertz Jami Gertz Ralph Macchio Jami Gertz
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Flixster Reviews (727)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 27, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Crossroads is one of the best films about music that I have ever seen. The film surrounds the legend of Robert Johnson. The film features a terrific story. A great soundtrack and cast. Crossroads is a must see film, and the story should appeal to any music lovers A young kid nam... read moreed Eugene Martone helps Robert Johnson's old friend escape from a minimal security hospital. What follows is a tremendous journey of learning the ways of the blues. In return for having broken Willie Brown out of the hospital, Brown promises to give Eugene Robert Johnson's last song, which he never recorded during his lifetime due to his untimely death. If you're a Blues lover, you'll definitely love this film. Any musician will appreciate this film. Crossroads is filled some great music. A very cool thing about the film is that Steve Vai is in the film, and in the films most famous scene goes head to head the guitar duel with Eugene Martone. This scene is obviously the high point of the film, and is also one of the best moments of the film. Crossroads lacks incredible acting, but it's still decent enough to keep you interested. But the strong point of the film is not the acting, but the story. This story is so entertaining that you can forgive the average acting. The best performance though of the film is not Ralph Macchio but Joe Seneca. He is really good on screen and he elevates the average acting of Gertz and Macchio. Crossroads is a solid musical drama and is a definite must see for any musician of every genre. This is a memorable film using one of the best, most emotional musical genres. Using Blues music as a plot device works so well because it's a genre that conveys great emotion. Crossroads is one great film, with average acting, but terrific story telling, and with a wicked Blues soundtrack how can you go wrong. This is one film that should be seen. And this film shouldn't be confused for the lame Britney Spears film of the same name. THIS is the right Crossroads film to watch!
  • flixsterman
    February 4, 2010
    flixsterman
    Ralph Macchio is a guitar prodigy who makes a deal with the devil in order to save a friend. A bluesy rendition of Faust that's hampered by weak scripting and two-dimensional performances.
  • MovieGeek13
    February 6, 2008
    MovieGeek13
    It's the stuff of myth, and while the film doesn't always work, the actors bring the right sensibilities to their roles and the guitar playing is impressive and inspiring.
  • nuheart
    June 25, 2007
    nuheart
    Expected more from this one after 21 years of build-up. The Steve Vai/Macchio guitar duel at the end, frankly, left much to be desired.
  • binky013
    April 28, 2006
    binky013
    Macchio's best performance. I give him great credit for working so hard on his guitar playing for this. Ry Cooder! One of the better movies that pays repect to Robert Johnson's legendary deal with the Devil.
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    May 6, 2010
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    I was entranced with the story. It really had me getting intuned with the film. Then the acting was getting better, and I waas even more Enthralled, finnaly the music, and Direction blew me away, and I was then left, saddeningly with a medicore, If lackluster ending, but fortunat... read moreely, I actaually enjoyed this film so much, that didn't matter! :)
  • cacutshaw
    January 17, 2008
    cacutshaw
    I remember this movie being cooler than I ever thought it would be, but I was 15 years old so there is a good chance I didn't have a clue.
  • broadwaymo
    March 26, 2007
    broadwaymo
    If you can get past the image of the Karate Kid as a delta blues man and just dig on the story of Willie Brown and Eugene's journey to the "Crossroads", you might be surprised. True blues guitar fans will appreciate the sounds "Eugene" is able to get from his old, secondhand guit... read morear, too.
  • mistachy
    November 10, 2010
    mistachy
    I dont know how in the world Crossroads got into my movie queue, I just looked up one day and it was there. I am so glad I didnt delete it or I would have missed out on a 1986 MASTERPIECE. This movie was out of control... full of insanely delicious sounds of the Harmonica and Gui... read moretar. I dont want to spoil it for anyone so Ill keep this review as mysterious as possible. The last 15 minutes of this movie was unlike anything Ive ever heard before. You must forgive my youth, for Im just as young as they come, so my experience is thin. Dont let the date on this movie fool you... this movie is comparable to the cascading, celestial, elegant sounds of August Rush blended with the insane, thrashing, shredding, guitar battle with Tom Morello on GH: Legends of Rock. To put it as mild as my youthful vocabulary can describe, the sounds from the last 15 minutes of this movie made love to ears! I absolutely loved this movie! Nothing has touched me quite like this since August Rush. It was so musically inspiring and the melodies swept me off my feet. Beautifully Brilliant and Convincing as they come...
  • mystardustc
    December 19, 2009
    mystardustc
    I love this movie. Just re-watched it recently cause i remember liking it as a kid. The fiction of meeting "the devil" at the crossroads was tied into this really nice IMO. Joe Seneca shoulda won some kinda award for his performance in this, at times I found myself literally awes... read moretruck by his performance as Blind Dog.

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Critic Reviews

John A. Nesbit
May 27, 2009
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

until the definitive movie about the blues is constructed, returning to Crossroads will have to suffice Full Review

Jamie Gillies
May 2, 2007
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide

Any music fan will do well spend an hour and a half watching this one. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
July 28, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

Great blues music and authentic Deep South atmosphere highlight this unusually gentle film by Walter Hill.

Steve Crum
June 29, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Meandering story with Ralph Macchio, mediocre Walter Hill.

Clint Morris
October 11, 2004
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Macchio is great....rocks to an electric beat

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 27, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Revels in the discoveries of youth and the gritty and cathartic magic of Mississippi Delta blues music. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Walter Goodman
May 21, 2003
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
February 17, 2002
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • Which Musician played Jack Butler in the 1985 film "Crossroads?"  Answer »
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