Of course this review is oh 37 years after the movie came out. Saw this movie at a New Years party '84 to '85 - many of the songs were already in heavy rotation on the radio, but tying the music to the truly Amazing artist and his quasi-autobio really put a new spin on things. The mere thought of someone living in such humble circumstances creating music never heard before, a look never seen before, alone, from his parent's basement to the big screen was jaw dropping for this 18 year old. That was the 80's, a time of boundary-less optimism, all things are possible attitude. Why? Because it was true!! This movie could not be more perfectly timed than to come out in the midst of one of the most glorious times in human history not to mention American hx. Sure, there some serious cheese in this flick but that's now part of its charm. Don't mess with imperfection.