HARD TO HOLD

US, 1984, 93 minutes, Colour.
Rick Springfield, Janet Eilber, Albert Salmi.
Directed by Larry Peerce.

Hard to Hold was designed as a star vehicle for singer Rick Springfield. It is the conventional story of a star, his arrogance, his clashes with his entourage, his accidental encounter with a young woman, their falling in love and their affair, his having to reconsider his life and his values.

In fact, the familiar material is presented in a fairly straightforward and familiar way. Nothing new - but an opportunity to see Rick Springfield who went into an acting career in American soap operas. Direction is by Larry Peerce, director of a range of films, including The Other Side of the Mountain, Two Minute Warning, The Sporting Club as well as many telemovies.

1. Interesting and entertaining show business story? Personal relationships and crisis?

2. The world of entertainment, the pop singers? The concerts, moving from hotel to hotel, city to city? The contrast with Nicki's world? The musical score, the songs, star vehicle for Rick Springfield and his performance?

3. The title - and its reference to Jamie and his life, relationships?

4. The star, his performances? His being burnt out? Relationship with his manager, pressures? The fans and the women pursuing him - serious, comic touches? The chance encounter with Nicki? Falling in love, the affair? Her challenging him? His having to made decisions? His future? His relationship with his manager? Diana

5. Micki, her career, dancing? Her values? The accident and the encounter with Janie? Not knowing who he was? Initial reaction, discovering the truth? Falling in love, their meetings, the lyrical sequences? Their affair? Her own life, career? Her hopes? Challenging Jamie? A future?

6. Jamie and his manager, entourage? Desperation, career moves, manoeuvres?

7. The conventional material, the star vehicle for Pick Springfield? Success or not?