Sweet Dreams

About Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams is a 1985 biographical film which tells the life story of country music singer Patsy Cline. The movie was written by Robert Getchell and directed by Karel Reisz. It starts from an era of Cline's life when she was already married to Gerald Cline.

The film portrays Cline's passionate and tumultuous marriage to Charlie Dick, which ends tragically when she dies in a plane crash in 1963. The film showcases Cline"s rising career and the obstacles she faces along the way, including her struggle to balance her professional success with her personal commitments.

Making / Production

Directed by Karel Reisz and written by Robert Getchell, the film was released by Tri-Star pictures. The movie is shot in the beautiful locales of the American south, effectively illustrating the world of Country Music in the mid-20th century.

Actors

• Jessica Lange - Lange plays the role of Patsy Cline herself. She captures the spirit of a pioneering woman in a male-dominated industry and delivers a phenomenal performance.
• Ed Harris - Harris portrays the character of Charlie Dick, Cline's husband. He masterfully essays the role of a passionate and unpredictable individual.
• Ann Wedgeworth and David Clennon – The pair provide solid support playing the roles of Patsy’s mother, Hilda Hensley, and her producer, Randy Hughes, respectively.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• While Jessica Lange did her own singing performances in rehearsals, it's Patsy Cline's voice we hear in the film's musical numbers.
• The film was shot on location in several southeastern towns in Virginia and the Western North Carolina city of Asheville, lending authenticity to the movie.
• Real Patsy Cline letters were used in the Letter Reading scene.

Awards

Jessica Lange was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Patsy Cline.

Quotes

• "You go out there, and you do a couple of your songs. No more than six, sweetie".
• "I want to be remembered as a woman who always tried...and sometimes succeeded".
• "It's a crazy business this country music. You go out there, make a lot of noise, have a ball, make everybody happy and what do you get? You get spit on".

Music and Soundtrack

• 'Sweet Dreams (of You)' – The film's title comes from this phenomenal song in the soundtrack.
• 'Crazy' – This iconic song, considered one of the greatest songs in the history of country music, is included in the soundtrack of the movie and is performed by Cline in the film.
• 'Walkin' After Midnight' – This early hit of Cline's also features prominently in the movie and its soundtrack.