Blaze (1989), opinion written by Tuna, edited by Johnny Web (Uncle Scoopy; Greg Wroblewski)

Blaze is the story of the romance between Earl K. Long, "governor of the great state of Louisiana", and Blaze Starr, an exotic dancer. That relationship cost him the governorship.

In truth, he was under some political pressure because of his progressive position on black voters' rights, but the opposition used his relationship with a woman of easy virtue to bring him down. The Longs had been in power in Louisiana for many years, starting with Earl's brother Huey, so the ousting was a major deal. Some time later, he was elected to the U.S. Congress in a comeback, but never lived to serve. Ms. Starr eventually moved to Baltimore, where, at the time the film was made, she was still part of the cultural scene.

I have no way to judge the accuracy of the film version, but the basic facts are entirely true. My memories from the press at the time are a little vague, but it was enough of a scandal that I do remember it. It should be reasonably accurate since it was written by director Ron Shelton based on a book written by Ms. Starr herself, and using Starr as a consultant on the film. Unsurprisingly given those facts, the movie does not portray her as a woman of easy virtue at all, and shows that, despite their age difference, the governor and the dancer were truly in love.

A former minor league baseball player, Shelton entered the film world as a writer/director with the acclaimed Bull Durham, which was a fictional version of some of his best minor league stories. Those yarns included Shelton's experiences with the legendary Steve Dalkowski, the fastest pitcher who ever lived, and an important part of the inspiration for Nuke LaLoosh (they even used Dalkowski's actual stats for Nuke's!). Blaze was Shelton's second directorial effort, and was the only non-sports film he made in his first 14 years as a director.

1. (7.19) - Bull Durham (1988)
2. (6.59) - Dark Blue (2002)
3. (6.20) - Cobb (1994)
4. (6.20) - White Men Can't Jump (1992)
5. (6.20) - Tin Cup (1996)
6. (6.01) - Blaze (1989)
7. (5.31) - Hollywood Homicide (2003)
8. (5.12) - Play It to the Bone (1999)

For a sports guy making a non-sports movie, Shelton did just fine. Paul Newman was brilliant as Earl Long, and Lolita Davidovich made a very convincing Blaze. 

For a biopic to hold my interest, the characters must be interesting, or interesting things must happen to them. In this case, both are true. This is either a biopic, or a romantic comedy, but either way, it transcends the genre, and is hence a B.