Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!

VHS cover for Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!
Directed by Jean-Claude Lord
Produced by William Stuart
Denis Heroux
Stephane Reichel
Written by Charles Zev Cohen
Rick Doehring
Starring Michael Paré
Marina Orsini
Bernie Coulson
Matthew Laurance
Music by John Cafferty
Marty Simon
Kenny Vance
Leon Aronson
Cinematography Rene Verzier
Distributed by Scotti Brothers Pictures
Release date(s) August 18, 1989
Running time 104 min.
Country Canada / United States
Language English
Preceded by Eddie and the Cruisers
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! is the 1989 sequel to the 1983 cult classic Eddie and the Cruisers, and has since joined its predecessor as a cult favorite. It is directed by Jean-Claude Lord, and based on literary characters created by author P.F. Kluge. Michael Paré and Matthew Laurance reprise their roles as Eddie Wilson and Sal Amato, respectively. This film picks up with where the first film left off. The film is marketed with the tagline "The legend. The music. The man."

[edit] Plot summary

Satin Records, who twenty years prior had rejected Eddie and the Cruisers last album, A Season in Hell, launches an "Eddie Lives!" campaign to make more money off his image in a publicity stunt, despite them not believing he is alive. The record label re-releases the band's first album, which becomes an even bigger hit than it had on its first release. As seen in the first film, the "lost recordings" from Season in Hell are released and become yet another hit album. In fact, Eddie is living, and had simply slipped away following the car crash in which he was believed killed. By that stage in his life, he simply wanted to leave music behind him. The newly generated constant spotlight surrounding his supposed death angers the reclusive rocker, by now living in Canada as a construction worker under the name Joe West. He shrinks back, staying as far away from music and the spotlight as possible.

But, when he gets involved in a struggling street band, it's not long before his passion for music - not to mention his desperate anger - resurfaces, and a decision must be made to determine Eddie's fate once and for all...

After unrelenting attempts by local guitarist Rick Diesel, Joe/Eddie finally begins to play again. The two go about Montreal hand picking musicians for a new band, Rock Solid. Despite Joe fighting the progress of the band every step of the way, Rock Solid begins to tour and wows audiences everywhere. Their popularity closely mirrors Joe/Eddie's former success with Eddie and the Cruisers, and he begins to see the similarities.

Rock Solid is discovered by executives from his former nemesis Satin Records, who rejected his album Season in Hell twenty years earlier. His girlfriend Dianne Armani thwarts his attempt to drive himself off another bridge, and Eddie finally takes the stage with Rock Solid, leading to the band steadily becoming more popular. Rock Solid is selected to play the Montreal Music Festival, which will be the bands big debut. Prior to the performance, Joe/Eddie realizes that he has to make peace with his past. He shaves his moustache and cuts his hair to appear as he did twenty years before. Donning a black T-shirt and leather jacket, Joe/Eddie reconnects with former Cruisers bassist Sal Amato.

At the end of the first song, Eddie introduces all the members of the band, concluding the announcements with "and me.......... I'm Eddie Wilson."

[edit] Cast

Special guest appearances by:

[edit] External links

This 1980s drama film-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.