I remember RHINESTONE's extremely short tenure in theaters when I was a teenager but never saw the film until it turned up unexpectedly on Country Music Television (CMT) earlier this week. I sat down expecting to laugh AT the movie, not WITH it, because on paper, the idea of Sylvester Stallone learning to become a country singer so that Dolly Parton can win a bet with her sleazy manager sounds like a train wreck of Biblical proportions. But y'know what? In spite of myself I found myself chuckling at the screwball humor in RHINESTONE. Stallone is not exactly known for his comedic stylings, but I have to give him credit, he gave it the old college try in his role as a mumble-mouthed NYC cabbie who tries hard to discover his inner redneck. Dolly Parton, well, she's Dolly Parton. She made quite a few movies in the late 70s and early 80s and though she may not be considered a great actress, she's light, funny, and easy on the eyes as well. Some of the priceless moments include Sly's fringed, sparkly stage wear (which wouldn't have looked out of place in the Blue Oyster Bar of "Police Academy" fame), Dolly punching out Tim Thomerson (Jack Deth would be horrified at how easily she took him out!), and Sly's race through the mean streets of 1984 Times Square on horseback to rescue Dolly from her manager's clutches. On the musical side, well, let's just say I doubt that the soundtrack album to RHINESTONE burned up the charts back in '84. Dolly can sing anything and make it sound good, so Sly should be grateful that she joins him on stage in the big finale to salvage his "performance" (and I use that term loosely). I doubt Sly Stallone looks back on this movie with much fondness, but considering that I was expecting a total cheese fest I was pleasantly surprised by this fluffy '80s comedy. They really don't make'em like this anymore.

This is, hands down, one of the funniest movies ever made. Weather we laugh because of the jokes written in or because of how awful some of the movie is, it doesn't matter. Laughter is a good thing, and this movie generates plenty of it. I especially like the bits with the always entertaining Tim Thomerson, Jack Deth of the Trancers series. His turn as Barnett Kale is fantastic. Also showing a nice sense of comedic timing is the inimitable Richard Farnsworth as Noah, the father of Dolly Parton's character. It is bad, it is cheesy, and it is side-splittingly funny. And if you cannot appreciate my fashion sense, I resignate.

source: Rhinestone

Trailer—Rhinestone

Rhinestone

This film suffers from what we in the reviewing business call "Rhinestone syndrome." This disorder refers to any movie that baffles you so that you can't figure out if you're laughing at it or with it. It is my belief that this is Stallone's most entertaining film, while it seems to be his most critically despised. Seeing the Italian Stallion attempt such unsingable classics as "Old MacDonald Had A Farm," and the immortal "Drinkenstein," is only the tip of the iceberg with this gem. Is it terribly written, or the most ingenius piece of cinematic art ever to be created? Perhaps that's just another eternal question we have to ponder, right up there with Rudy Ray Moore's "How, and Why?"

I Love This Movie!! But I probably understand it much better because I'm Southern. This movie isn't about any political issues nor was it made to raise anyone's consciousness, it is pure entertainment and that is exactly why it is one of my favorites. I don't want to sit down to a movie and be given yet more issues to deal with, I want to sit down an be entertained, to have my mind taken off of my troubles and that is exactly what this movie does. But like I said, I really think one must be a true Southerner to really enjoy this movie. To each his own.

What those who put down this wonderful musical comedy fail to understand is that it is a parody of My Fair Lady with genders reversed. Instead of a pompous professor challenged to turn a cockney low class flower vendor into a classy young lady here was have a C&W singer challenged to turn a "Noo Yawkuh" taxi cab driver into a successful C&W singer. Stallone indeed brilliantly parodied his Rocky character this time instead of a mediocre club fighter becoming a top contender he is a man of limited musical ability who must succeed at performing C&W music on stage for a live audience. It is indeed a great albeit under-rated film. Grade B? Perhaps but still fun to watch.

this is a cute light-hearted comedy and quite a giggle to see Sly partnered with Dolly for a duet or two.We see Sly as a New York cabby who needs to pay for the damages to his cab (which he blames Dolly for as he was distracted by perving at her)she in turn wants to win a bet to turn 'the next ordinary guy' into a singer who can pass the 'rhinestone' crowd of hecklers, so she can rip up her contract with her sleazy boss and wont need to sing at the rhinestone nightclub any longer. So Dolly takes Sly back home to Tennesee and teaches him some country so he can sing right for the rhinestone crowd. Of course Sly is obviously a fish out of water and picked on by a few country bullies including Dolly's ex, who isn't over her. If this sounds like you might like it you probably will.

i never thought this was a bad movie. my mom used to watch it all the time,and loved it. i don't love it,but i still think it's all right. stallone is funny in this movie. not real funny,but funny. the plot is full of holes,but amusing,and entertaining scenes help me forget about the holes in the plot. all in all it's not as bad as people say. i give rhinestone **1/2 out of ****