Blaze

Critics Consensus

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80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 10

47%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,113
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Blaze Photos

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Movie Info

Blaze is a comic-strip re-telling of the curious late-1950s relationship between famed striptease artist Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovitch) and Lousiana governor Earl Long (played in gorgeously flamboyant fashion by Paul Newman). Their romance is counterbalanced with the story of Long's efforts to win voting rights for Louisiana's black citizens. The governor's political enemies ruin his chances at re-election, then try to put him out of the way permanently with a trumped-up insanity charge. But with faithful Blaze at his side (and in close proximity to other portions of his anatomy), Long confounds his foes by winning a congressional seat. On the eve of this triumph, Earl Long dies, bringing this boisterous story to a sobering conclusion. Since the film is based on Blaze Starr's own reminiscences, one might prepare oneself with several grains of salt. The real Blaze Starr shows up early in the film as a stripper named Lily.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Ron Shelton
  • Written By:
    Ron Shelton
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Touchstone Pictures

Cast

Paul Newman
as Gov. Earl Long
Lolita Davidovich
as Blaze Starr
Jerry Hardin
as Thibodeaux
Gailard Sartain
as LaGrange
Jeffrey DeMunn
as Tuck
Garland Bunting
as Doc Ferriday
Richard Jenkins
as Picayune
Brandon Smith (I)
as Arvin Deeter
Jay Chevalier
as Wiley Braden
Robert Wuhl
as John `Red' Snyder
Deano Thornton
as Drunken Officer
Michael Brockman
as Bobby
Eloy Casados
as Antoine
James Harper
as Willie Rainach
Teresa Gilmore Capps
as Tamara Knight
Dianne Brill
as Delilah Dough
Blaze Starr
as Lily
Gilbert Lewis
as Rev. Marquez
Gary Anthony Sturgis
as Marquez's Son
Louanne Stephens
as Lora Fleming
Emily Warfield
as Debbie Fleming
Ben Cook
as Younger Brother
John P. Fertitta
as Hospital Director
Rod Masterson
as 1st Town Talk Reporter
Harlan Jordan
as Dr. Cheeseborough
Bill Dunleavy
as 2nd Town Talk Reporter
King Cotton
as Jimmie Davis
Mike Baer
as Secretary of Legislature
Bob Cherry
as Earl's Crony
Frederick F. Lewis
as Heckling Reporter
Sid Lacey
as Earl's Crony
Al Robinson
as Magnolia Local
Harold G. Herthum
as Earl's Crony
Dick Person
as General Store Owner
Fred Lewis
as Heckling Reporter
Brooks Read
as Reporter in Store
Bill Mesman
as Rep. Davis
John A. Barber
as Rep. Hebert
Patrik Baldauff
as Rep. Kennon
Carey Rauhman Holliday
as Rep. Alexander
Robert Earle
as Rep. Elfin
Thomas Radcliffe Atkins
as Rep. Johnson
Thomas C. Smith-Alden
as Asylum Spokesman
Pat Snow
as Johnnie Mae
David R. Conly
as Drunken Sailor
Brad Leland
as Dufee
Donald J Lee Jr
as Donut Shop Man
George Wyatt
as Drunken Officer
Janet Shea
as 1st Crony Wife
Glynn Rubin
as 2nd Crony Wife
Michael O'Neal
as Motorcycle Trooper
Michael Brooks
as Motorcycle Trooper
Stanley Hughes
as Motorcycle Trooper
Kevin Graham
as Motorcycle Trooper
Wendell Raybon
as Motorcycle Trooper
Jack David Harris
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Critic Reviews for Blaze

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (2)

  • Blaze is the affectionate story of two colorful people who had the nerve to stick together, even though that didn't suit everybody's notions of propriety.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Supposedly based on fact regarding the relationship of Louisiana's Gov. Earl Long and his stripper girlfriend, this is noted mostly for the offbeat casting of Paul Newman.

    Mar 15, 2009 | Rating: 3/5

    Steve Crum

    Video-Reviewmaster.com

  • The latter-day Paul Newman is at his rascally best here.

    Jul 25, 2002 | Rating: 3/5

    Scott Weinberg

    eFilmCritic.com
View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for Blaze

  • Jan 24, 2007
    Paul Newman is good value as the Governor of Louisiana, Lolita Davidovich is a little weaker in her title role.
    Dean M Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Blaze Quotes

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