The music of Bruce Springsteen has been a source of inspiration for many fans, writers and filmmakers over the entire span of his career. Now, in celebration of his most recent album, the music legend is going to take to the big screen with the concert film/documentary WESTERN STARS.
Named after the album itself, the film promises a personal look at the man behind such songs as “Born to Run” and “Glory Days,” as well as tons of other chart-busting hits. But Springsteen is no stranger to the movies, as his music has been featured prominently in several memorable films, as well as inspired its fair share of stories.
Most notably, Bruce Springsteen had two huge hits that made movie history in the ‘90s era of filmmaking. In 1994, his work on the song “Streets of Philadelphia” won him an Academy Award® for Best Song, as that single was written for and used in the Tom Hanks/Denzel Washington drama PHILADELPHIA.
And in 1996, Springsteen’s “Secret Garden” became a mega hit off the back of writer/director Cameron Crowe using it as part of the soundtrack to the Tom Cruise/Renée Zellweger hit JERRY MAGUIRE, which eventually spawned a radio remix that added dialog from the film into the song.
With songs also featured in films such as JERSEY GIRL, a cameo appearance in the John Cusack-starring comedy HIGH FIDELITY, and a tune written for the Darren Aronofsky film THE WRESTLER, Bruce Springsteen’s movie connections have continued into the more modern scene of filmmaking.
With director Gurinder Chadha’s BLINDED BY THE LIGHT telling a fictionalized version of author Sarfraz Manzoor’s teenage obsession about the legend, another big pin was put on the silver screen history of Springsteen’s music. Which brings us to how WESTERN STARS is bringing Bruce Springsteen back to the movies.
As his career is a decades-long hit parade full of memorable songs that everyone could sing along to with just a few notes, Springsteen is in a bit of a retrospective mood at this point in time. WESTERN STARS certainly shows it, both in the album’s contents, as well as in what its companion film has to offer.
Playing songs from his new album and talking through life events with the inclusion of home videos, Bruce Springsteen is on a personal journey in WESTERN STARS, and he’s inviting fans who want to come along for the ride.
You’re not going to want to miss WESTERN STARS, especially since it’s only available for a two-night special event, on October 19 and 23. Advanced tickets are on sale now, so grab them while you can!
