The Hard Part Begins

The Hard Part Begins is a 1973 Canadian feature film that marked the directorial debut of Paul Lynch, starring Donnelly Rhodes and Linda Sorenson.[1]

The Hard Part Begins
Directed byPaul Lynch
Written byJohn Hunter
Produced by
  • John Hunter
  • Derrett Lee
Starring
CinematographyRobert Saad
Edited byWilliam Gray
Music byIan Guenther
Distributed byCinépix
Release dates
October 1973 (Filmexpo, Ottawa); September 20, 1974 (Toronto); November 22 (Montreal)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$95,000 (estimated)

Plot

“King and Country” is a country and western group headed by a 40-something singer, Jim King, whose girlfriend, Jenny, is a backup singer with the band. They have been playing one-week stints in small-town bars in southwestern Ontario. They are appearing in King's fictional hometown of West Eden when he hears news that a recording company wants to talk to him. His past collides with his future when he reconnects with his bitter ex-wife, a troubled son and a dying friend who all have shared shattered dreams of success. King learns the company is interested in Jenny, not him, and he has to return to the road and accept his fate.[2]

Production

Director Paul Lynch independently raised $40,000 and received a $60,000 loan from the Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC) to finance the film.[3]

Reception

Alistair Brown wrote in Cinema Canada that The Hard Part Begins made a fine directorial debut for Paul Lynch, though he wished it could have been more ambitious.[4] Motion praised Donnelly Rhodes's performance and "hayseed machismo".[5]

Despite playing almost exclusively in theaters in Canada, the film made a solid profit.[3]

References
  1. Morris, Peter (1984). The Film Companion. Toronto: Irwin Publishing. p. 139. ISBN 0-7725-1505-0.
  2. Wise, Wyndham (2001). Take One's Essential Guide to Canadian Film. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 0-8020-3512-4. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  3. Weisberg, Sam (November 18, 2011). "Interview with Paul Lynch". Hidden Films. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  4. Brown, Alastair (January 1975). "The Hard Part Begins (review)". Cinema Canada: 76–77.
  5. "The Hard Part Begins (review)". Motion: 28. September 1974.


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