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Eddie and the Cruisers

Play trailer Poster for Eddie and the Cruisers PG Released Sep 23, 1983 1h 32m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
33% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Eddie and the Cruisers, a major rock 'n' roll band in the early '60s, fell off the radar when singer Eddie (Michael Paré) vanished after a dispute over their experimental second album. Nearly 20 years later, journalist Maggie Foley (Ellen Barkin) tracks down the old Cruisers to see if she can unravel the secret of Eddie's disappearance. By piecing together the band members' stories, she hopes to find the missing master tapes to the lost LP, and also solve the mystery of Eddie's ultimate fate.

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Linda Deutsch Associated Press At the height of his fame, Eddie Wilson died in a car crash. Or did he? The question, raised in the opening scenes, gives this fictional, nostalgic movie a quirky appeal, suggesting the past may not be dead after all. Mar 4, 2019 Full Review Noel Murray The Dissolve Aside from Eddie And The Cruisers' funky structure, the music remains its chief selling point-though Cafferty's songs don't plausibly pass for early 1960s tunes. Rated: 3/5 Apr 23, 2015 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Eddie and the Cruisers is a mish-mash of a film, combining elements of the ongoing nostalgia for rock music of previous decades with an unworkable and laughable mystery plotline. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Brian Costello Common Sense Media Dated, rock-themed '80s tale has suicide, drugs, profanity. Rated: 2/5 Jun 28, 2016 Full Review Matt Brunson Creative Loafing The film's mystery angle regarding the missing tapes is ludicrous, thus making it right at home alongside every other half-witted development in this cheesy undertaking. Rated: 1.5/4 Apr 18, 2015 Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times An intriguing, if not completely successful, spin on the rock movie. Rated: 2/5 Jun 4, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (423) audience reviews
Audience Member I was fourteen when I saw this movie for the first time on HBO. I was spellbound. Over that Summer I watched it maybe twenty more times and I've lost count over the decades since. Was the acting a bit rough? Maybe. The story was a little slow for some people apparently but I don't agree with that. It was just the right pace for what it was. Smooth, jazzy, bluesy and pure rock n roll. It was magical for a 13-14 year old poor boy born on the wrong side of the tracks. Of course the music was the big selling point. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band hit it out of the park. But, if you really pay attention the movie draws you in. It's a web of mystery, drama, intrigue and sometimes funny in a smarmy, sarcastic kind of way. I think Michael Paré did an outstanding job playing Eddie. Tom Berenger as Frank was the glue that held it all together. Grab some popcorn. Grab your girl. Watch it for the mesmerizing story. Listen to it for the gritty and goosebump inducing tunes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review Sherri R The music is the only good thing about this movie. I always loved the first 1. But the acting is just cringe worthy. I'd give 0 stars if I could. I own this movie because I own the first one, but now I know why I never watch it. Horrible Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/24 Full Review Art C Was my favorite movie as a kid. Just rewatched it and it was even better than I remember. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/24 Full Review Ninja Z Great Movie to binge watch. Enjoyed it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/30/23 Full Review Steve D Doesn't really amount to much. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Jonathan S A trip back in time… not necessarily to 1963, but rather 1983. I still think about this movie and it takes me back. On the Dark Side, Tender Years, etc.; they stand the test of time, and so does Eddie. Nothing wrong with a little Eddie & the Cruisers when you can't sleep during a thunderstorm at 2 in the morning. The best part of this rating is it's my rating; critics be damned. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Eddie and the Cruisers

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Eddie and the Cruisers, a major rock 'n' roll band in the early '60s, fell off the radar when singer Eddie (Michael Paré) vanished after a dispute over their experimental second album. Nearly 20 years later, journalist Maggie Foley (Ellen Barkin) tracks down the old Cruisers to see if she can unravel the secret of Eddie's disappearance. By piecing together the band members' stories, she hopes to find the missing master tapes to the lost LP, and also solve the mystery of Eddie's ultimate fate.
Director
Martin Davidson
Producer
Joseph Brooks, Robert K. Lifton
Screenwriter
Arlene Davidson, Martin Davidson
Distributor
Embassy Pictures
Production Co
Aurora
Rating
PG
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 23, 1983, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 4, 2001
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Surround