John denver movie biography

Take Me Home: The John Denver Story is an anomaly within the biopic genre. Following the traditional arc of an artist setting off on his own against a disapproving parent’s wishes, the early scenes of Denver pursuing his dreams and his sweetheart with equal enthusiasm recall the wholesome quality that endeared the singer to his audience. However, once the biopic approaches more familiar territory, our affinity with the singer begins to diminish. At the very point the lead character should become more recognisable, Chad Lowe’s depiction starts to resemble less John Denver and more Dana Carvey.

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Similarly disconcerting is a seemingly disembodied soundtrack. While the lip syncing is serviceable, the songs never seem to be truly emanating from Lowe. More successful is the liberal use of Denver’s songbook playing over shots of glorious scenery. These scenes, devoid of dialogue, do more to explain Denver’s love of nature than any attempts by the hackneyed script.

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Case in point. Denver, consoling himself with a beer, turns on wife after she informs him she knows how he feels. “Your father did not die", he screams at her. “Your record company did not dump you”. And most tragic of all… “You cut down our trees.”  Then in a scene that would not have looked out of place in Mommie Dearest, Denver whispers “You want to know how I am feeling? I will show you”, before taking a chainsaw to their marital bed. Cut to next scene where a sheepish Denver, guitar in hand, informs Annie “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell you how sorry I am. So I wrote you a song.” She doesn't listen and neither should you.

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Instead, listen to one of Denver's many greatest hits compilations, and avoid this tripe.

By the time 'The Mitchell Trio' disbanded, they had changed their name to 'Denver, Boise, and Johnson'.

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American singer (–)

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, &#;– October 12, ), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the s and one of the best selling artists in that decade.AllMusic has called Denver "among the most beloved entertainers of his era".

Denver recorded and released approximately songs, about of which he wrote himself. He had 33 albums and singles that were certified Gold and Platinum in the U.S by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with estimated sales of more than 33 million units. He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, disdain for city life, enthusiasm for music, and relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot , and adult contemporary, earning 12 gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads"; "Poems, Prayers & Promises"; "Annie's Song"; "Rocky Mountain High"; "Calypso"; "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"; and "Sunshine on My Shoulders".

Denver appeared in several films and television specials during the s and s, including the hit Oh, God!, in which he starred alongside George Burns. He continued to record into the s, also focusing on environmental issues as well as lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress to protest censorship in music. Known for his love of Colorado, Denver lived in Aspen for much of his life. In , Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in , and West Virginia did the same for "Take Me Home, Country Roads" in An avid pilot, Denver died at the age of 53 in , in a single-fatality crash while piloting a recently purch