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Drama Cult Classic

A restless Texas woman dreams of more than small town life and a boyfriend with no plans.

HARD COUNTRY

Sometimes a woman has to leave the man she loves... to find herself.

1981 · 1h 44m · PG · Drama / Romance · IMDB TMDB

A young woman who longs to escape the limitations of life in a small Texas town to pursue her dreams. She is prevented from leaving by her factory worker boyfriend who does not want her to move to the big city.

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Quick Answer

What is Hard Country about?

Hard Country is a 1981 American drama and romance film directed by David Greene about a young woman in a small Texas town torn between her ambitions for a bigger life and her boyfriend's reluctance to leave.

Programmer's Pick

Kim Basinger brings a spark to the prairie as Jodie, while Jan-Michael Vincent is all stubborn charm as her stay-put boyfriend. If you like your coming-of-age stories with a whiff of beer, cowboy hats, and small-town longing, you've found your stop.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Hard Country explores the restlessness of Jodie, a young woman chafing against the narrow horizons of her small Texas hometown. While her days are spent surrounded by familiar faces and the routine of local life, Jodie is determined to seek more for herself, setting her sights on possibilities beyond the county line. Her ambitions, however, are complicated by her boyfriend Kyle, a contented factory worker who prefers the comfort of what he knows to the uncertainty of big city dreams. The film navigates the push and pull between belonging and aspiration, painting a portrait of youthful yearning set against the dusty backroads and honkytonks of rural Texas.

Details & Specs

Director
David Greene
Writers
Michael Martin Murphey, Michael Kane
Release
1981
Runtime
1h 44m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama, Romance
Also Known As
La ambicion de Jodie Palmer (Hard Country), Hard Country, La ambicion de Jodie Palmer

Why This Matters

This film marks Kim Basinger's debut on the big screen and features appearances by country music artists Tanya Tucker and Michael Martin Murphey, blending contemporary Western themes with authentic musical talent.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: David Greene Writers: Michael Martin Murphey +1 more
Jan-Michael Vincent Jan-Michael Vincent Kyle Kim Basinger Kim Basinger Jodie Michael Parks Michael Parks Royce Gailard Sartain Gailard Sartain Johnny Bob Sierra Pecheur Sierra Pecheur Mama John Chappell John Chappell Daddy TT Tanya Tucker Caroline Daryl Hannah Daryl Hannah Loretta Cisse Cameron Cisse Cameron Royce's Wife Ted Neeley Ted Neeley Wesley Lewis van Bergen Lewis van Bergen Ransom CC Curtis Credel Dale SB Scotch Byerley Aaron Richard Lineback Richard Lineback Larry Richard Moll Richard Moll Top Gun Aleshia Brevard Aleshia Brevard Snooty Lady

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Why Cult

Texas Small Town Life

The film captures the routines, bars, and local color of a rural Texas community, right down to the pickup trucks and honkytonks.

Early Basinger Performance

Kim Basinger plays the ambitious Jodie, offering a glimpse of her screen presence before her rise to stardom.

Factory and Bar Culture

Workaday factory life and nights out at the local bar set the scene for the film's exploration of dreams and dead ends.

Cameo & Country References

Watch for musical cameos and nods to country culture, from Willie Nelson to Tanya Tucker, woven into the fabric of the story.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Hard Country released? +

Hard Country was released in 1981.

Who directed Hard Country? +

Hard Country was directed by David Greene.

How long is Hard Country? +

Hard Country has a runtime of 104 minutes.

What genre is Hard Country? +

Hard Country is a drama and romance film.

Where can I watch Hard Country? +

You can watch Hard Country on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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