The Thing Called Love Poster

The Thing Called Love 1993

★ 6.2147 votes116 min📅 1993-08-27

"Stand by your dream."

In the early 1990s Nashville music scene, dreams of stardom collide with the raw realities of the country music industry in *The Thing Called Love (1993)*.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

Cast

River Phoenix
River Phoenix
James Wright
Samantha Mathis
Samantha Mathis
Miranda Presley
Dermot Mulroney
Dermot Mulroney
Kyle Davidson
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Linda Lue Linden
Anthony Clark
Anthony Clark
Billy
Deborah Allen
Deborah Allen
Deborah Allen
K.T. Oslin
Lucy
Webb Wilder
Ned
Earl Poole Ball
Floyd
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *The Thing Called Love (1993)* about?

*The Thing Called Love* follows a group of fresh-faced musicians as they chase fame and love in Nashville's competitive music scene. Their journey intertwines personal relationships with professional struggles, revealing the cost of chasing stardom. Set against the gritty backdrop of honky-tonk bars, the film blends raw emotion with the dream of making it big.

Who directed *The Thing Called Love*?

Peter Bogdanovich directed *The Thing Called Love*. Known for his work in the 1970s New Hollywood era, Bogdanovich brings a nostalgic yet gritty perspective to this 1990s music drama.

Who stars in *The Thing Called Love*?

The film stars River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, Sandra Bullock, and Anthony Clark as the core group of aspiring musicians navigating love and ambition in Nashville.

Is *The Thing Called Love (1993)* worth watching?

*The Thing Called Love* offers a compelling snapshot of 1990s Nashville, blending romance and music with standout performances from its cast. While not a blockbuster, its authentic atmosphere and emotional depth make it a hidden gem for fans of music-driven dramas. If you enjoy films like *A Star Is Born* or *Country Strong*, this one's worth streaming or downloading for its nostalgic charm.

How long is *The Thing Called Love*?

*The Thing Called Love* runs for 116 minutes, giving viewers plenty of time to soak in its music-filled narrative and character-driven drama.

🎥 Trailer

About The Thing Called Love (1993) — A music-drenched tale of ambition and romance in 1990s Nashville

In the early 1990s Nashville music scene, dreams of stardom collide with the raw realities of the country music industry in *The Thing Called Love (1993)*. Peter Bogdanovich's drama transports viewers into a world where ambition burns as fiercely as the neon lights of honky-tonk bars. A tight-knit group of aspiring musicians and songwriters navigate heartache, rivalry, and the intoxicating allure of fame, their personal lives intertwined with the pursuit of artistic recognition. With a backdrop of smoky bars and late-night songwriting sessions, the film captures the grittiness and passion of a music scene that both inspires and devours its participants. Whether chasing love or chasing hits, each character must confront what they're willing to sacrifice for their dreams.

River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, and Dermot Mulroney shine as the core quartet of dreamers, their performances crackling with the tension of youthful idealism meeting harsh reality. Set against the twang of acoustic guitars and the hum of backstage whispers, *The Thing Called Love* explores the fragile line between success and self-destruction. It's a story about the bonds forged in pursuit of greatness—and the price of chasing a thing called love.