Hard to Hold (1984) Reviews

• Maybe not the best, but a REAL fan doesn't care!

  rhcmom2002-10-12

  You know, I liked this movie, and I am looking to buy a copy of it eventually. True, it's not the greatest movie, but hey, it's RICK SPRINGFIELD, and that's the real reason I went to see it in the first place! It's a light-hearted movie, entertainment for his fans, and has a rockin' soundtrack, where Rick really shines. Did I read correctly that another reviewer says he's a "no-talent"? Oh please. As the saying goes, he has more talent in his little finger than a host of other singers/actors/whatever have in their whole bodies! Very gifted songwriter, excellent performer (have you ever been to a concert?), and a d*mn good-looking man to boot! You can't ask for much more. Rick's been in the business for a long time, and may he continue for many more years! Rock on, Rick baby! ;-)

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• Not a bad movie for the average Eighties Geek

  tydeway2007-01-19

  If you were a teenager in the 1980's, as I was, you probably would've liked this movie. I'd taped it off the TV and watched it probably 10 times, although I haven't seen it in 20 years. It would likely be impossible to find it on DVD now. The plot line is fairly simple and the characters rather wooden, causing you to look forward to the performance videos. It does have some sweet moments however. I wanted my hair styled just like Rick's when I was 17 or so. I even took the video to the hairdressers for her to see, but couldn't match it. The soundtrack is a collection of great eighties Rick music too - Love Somebody is an underrated classic.

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• The most guilty of pleasures, I had a big crush on Springfield when this movie was released and I still watch it and enjoy the music, too

  inkblot112009-05-14

  Jamie Roberts (Rick Springfield) is a pop music superstar. He gives concerts, gyrates across the stage, and the crowd, mostly women, swoons. But, this gets old after awhile and he has been feeling somewhat restless. Borrowing a car after a show, Jamie gets into a minor traffic accident with a pretty schoolteacher, Diana (Janet Eilber) and he likes what he sees. However, she doesn't care if he is the richest man out there, she likes Tony Bennett and sane lifestyles. Nevertheless, when Jamie shows up below her apartment building in San Francisco and has a Tony-lookalike serenade her, she can't help but invite the good-looking singer into her apartment for an evening. Yet, she doesn't see any future between the two of them and tries to resist the start of any relationship. But, Jamie is relentless and they begin to go out as a couple. Can a teacher of troubled children who scorns "top 40" music really be a good match for a rock star? All right, I know, this film is the definitive guilty pleasure, for its strengths are mainly the looks and voice of one Rick Springfield. He has a smile that melts hearts and his goofy yet sincere portrayal of a rock star goes a long way to making the film attractive to a mostly female audience. Eilber is pretty and competent as the love interest and the supporting cast is quite nice as well. As for the setting in San Francisco, it is gorgeous, the costumes are nice, and the production values are strong. Yes, the plot is somewhat silly and unbelievable but the direction keeps the story going. The soundtrack, too, will either be very appealing or dismissive, depending on whether you are a fan of Springfield's. In short, if you adore little Ricky but you have never seen this film, get it soon. Toes will curl and chests will sigh over the Aussie singer's rare movie appearance.

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• Not a good plot--Rick was best part of movie

  Jedi Jr.1999-04-15

  I agree with another person's comments that Rick was not given much to work with. Rick is a very talented actor and this movie WASTED his talents, other than the sequences with him singing in concert. The chemistry between his character, Jamie Roberts, and social worker Diana Lawson is very lacking. She looks old enough to be his mom, even! I thought the band didn't even need parts in the script. They were used as props anyway. I did like the character of Nikki, Jamie's ex-girlfriend, who tries desperately to get back together with him, but continuously gets rejected. This character could have even played a bigger role in the movie. However, if you are a fan of Rick's (as I am), it is a must-see. The music is the best part of the show, and once again Rick triumphs in this field! The song "Love Somebody" (performed in a concert sequence at the end of the film) makes the hour and a half long movie worth renting or buying.

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• goes without saying...

  tdrish2017-06-19

  ...the album was killer! Great soundtrack, top chart busting hits, and one talented musician. So if you're expecting the movie to be as great as the soundtrack, let me shoot you straight. Hard To Hold is a movie that is going to rely heavily on his music, and also rare concert clips, rather then concentrate on a story line. Same formula was Purple Rain, which if you think about it, about sums up this movie. If you take Prince and all the great music out of Purple Rain, the movie is a piece of crap, am I wrong? Same goes here, we got Rick Springfield, a great 80's teen icon, in a movie with a weak story line. It is what it is. It's trying to be a romance movie, but the flight just doesn't take off. What do you want? And if you think a rock star can get any girl he wants, think again, because this one is giving him a run for his money. A survivor of a car accident, she doesn't have a clue who he is, can he win her love? Tune in Tokyo, actually, tune out Tokyo, go back to...whatever you were doing, there is nothing to see here. I'm a hard critic, but I am a fair critic, and I say the music backing the film up earns this silly nonsense of a film up with a whopping 4 out of possible 10 stars.

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