Brad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo
Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton are not only Grand Ole Opry stars. They’re now movie stars too.
Along with The Band Perry and Brett Eldredge, these famous faces are part of American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry, a concert film that premiered Monday night (Nov. 30) in Franklin, Tennessee.
The feature is intended to be more like a concert experience than a documentary, so it’s heavy on the music. In this version of the Opry, Paisley is the elder statesman. As a member since 2001, he’s the one who talks the most about the show’s legacy and some of its late members, including Johnny Russell and Little Jimmy Dickens. None of the older living cast members are featured in the film and the only narrative or historical perspective comes directly from the five performing artists, who all speak reverently about the Opry’s legacy.
However, for those lucky enough to go backstage at the Opry on a regular basis, the film does capture what it’s like to pop into dressing rooms or rub elbows with stars like Rucker and Shelton in the hallways, even if it’s just for a few seconds. As always, emcee Bill Cody does an admirable job of keeping the show moving, cheerfully introducing star after star while making the audience feel actively involved.
While most of the actual Saturday shows would have a segment host, the film bypasses that formality and splices in backstage footage instead. Although the film is not an exact reflection of what it’s like to attend the Grand Ole Opry, fans naturally are curious about what goes on behind the famous curtain, and this beautifully-shot film should satisfy their interest.
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.
American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry will open nationally Friday (Dec. 4) at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).
The film is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan, video producer Robert Deaton, Opry Vice President/General Manager Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.
