Not my very favorite Paul Newman film but shows again what a versitle actor he was. Very entertaining..

It is rare that I purchase dvds anymore but this is one I had to own. It is a hidden gem for any Paul Newman fan. He does a great job at portraying an old southern Govenor in the twighlight of his years. If you are political junkie as I am you will also love the glimpse at southern politics of a time gone by.
Now, I cannot put down an honest review without mentioning the co-star. The first time I saw this film Ms. Davidovitch simply took my breath away, she plays a beautiful sensual lady to perfection and she and Newman make an interesting and believable pair in this movie.
If you have not seen this film treat yourself to it. It is a delight.

You will love this movie. It is sweet, about Louisiana politics and the "good ole boy system" of years gone by. It is a love story that will keep you laughing, about the famous Long brothers and although, it is an old movie, Paul Newman really does the part justice on this story, which is based on facts, You will love the part where he says, 'I have to keep my boots on for I get better traction that way". It is a sweet movie and I think you will love this for it gives the viewer an eye of what Louisiana politics were in the past in a funny way. You will find you will watch it more than one time and you will fall in love with Earl Long (Paul Newman).He is so funny in this movie and so is the character, Blaze Starr, a stripper who Earl falls in love with. Just get this and enjoy!

This film is a fictitious story based on real people. Thus, there is little or no historical accuracy involved. One suspects that Ms. Starr made of her relationship with the Governor rather more than actually existed. As one who lived through the rollicking days of Earl Long, I can attest that he was an incredibly colorful character, but focusing on the Blaze Starr aspect of it is rather like writing a book about Beethoven without mentioning music. Maybe it is, as advertised, Blaze's story (as she remembers it), but there was a lot more to Earl K. Long.

That said, it is a splendid film. The acting, dialogue, and plot are first-rate, and the filmcraft excellent. More than that, it captures wonderfully the "feeling" of Louisiana at the time. The outdoor scenes at the Pea Patch (Earl's family farm) and at the end, with Blaze leaving the Capitol accompanied by perfectly selected music, have to grab anyone, especially a Louisiana boy many years removed.

So, watch the movie and enjoy it. Then read about the Real Earl; Blanche, his wife, a fascinating person in her own right; Huey; and the rest of the Long dynasty. They are every bit as interesting as the Kennedy's and way more outrageous.

Paul Newman made his best movie as an old man. He plays Governor Earl Long of Louisiana, who had a scandalous affair with stripper Blaze Starr. I remember this being in the news. Lolita Davidovich is Blaze. She makes her way from West Virginia to New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Earl is a liberal, a Democrat who supports Civil Rights. This is comedy, and there are funny scenes. Earl shoots his lawn mower and has sex with his boots on. Robert Wuhl's character is interesting but has a small part. Blaze exits through a bathroom window to leave him, taking her mother's advice not to trust any man who tells her to trust him.