"The blues ain't nothin' but a good man feelin' bad, thinkin' 'bout the woman he once was with." No, this isn't the Britney Spears movie.
Walter Hill, director of such classics as The Driver, The Warriors, Southern Comfort, and 48 Hrs, tackles the blues with the Karate Kid himself, Ralph Macchio. The story is set in motion by the legend of Robert Johnson, a blues musician who is said to have sold his soul to the devil for his guitar-playing ability, and the surrounding mythology.
Ralph Macchio plays Eugene Brown, an up-and-coming guitar player who was brought up playing classical, but takes an interest in the blues. This leads to the Robert Johnson mythology, particularly the "missing song". While doing some research, he comes across the name of Willie Brown, an institutionalized old blues man who played with Johnson. He takes a liking to the boy but has business to attend to in Mississippi, at the crossroads. They hit the road and a bond is formed.
It's the final scene that cements this movie into must see territory. Featuring Steve Vai and some of the most insane guitar playing you're likely to see, the finale is a showdown. The devil wants their souls. Eugene has to play to save them.
Spoiler Alert: Final Scene below. The movies been out for over 25 years and the ending doesn't ruin the rest of the movie. You have been warned.
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