I Saw the Light movie quotes tell the story of country singer Hank Williams during his rise to fame, romances and sudden death. The biographical drama film was directed and adapted into a screenplay by Marc Abraham based on the book Hank Williams: The Biography by Colin Escott, George Merritt and William MacEwen. I Saw the Light opened in theaters on March 25, 2016.
In I Saw the Light, the life of Hank Williams (Tom Hiddleston) is shown including his music career, working both with members of the Drifting Cowboys band (including Michael Rinne, Joshua Brady and Wes Langlois as Lum York, Sammy Pruett and Don Helms, respectively) and with producer and co-writer Fred Rose (Bradley Whitford). It also chronicles William's desire to relocate to Nashville to play at the Grand Ole Opry, a dream that was difficult given his issues with alcoholism and partying.
The alcoholism, and infidelity, wasn't any help in his personal life either as it drove him apart from first wife, longtime manager and duet partner Audrey Sheppard Williams (Elizabeth Olsen) and their son, into the arms of Billie Jean (Maddie Hasson) and Bobbie Jett (Wrenn Schmidt), among others. Eventually, it was this love for drugs and alcohol that led to Williams's eventual death in 1953, at the young age of 29. Yet in his short time, Williams made an impact on folks music that is still felt today.
I Saw the Light was just one of several March 2016 films in theaters along with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, The Brothers Grimsby, 10 Cloverfield Lane.
I Saw the Light Movie Quotes,
Drinking Like a Fish
Audrey Sheppard Williams: He's drinking like a fish.
Noticing that Hank was on quite the bender, Audrey points out to Lillie, Hank's mother, that he is quite drunk. This was the first of a series of events that would eventually lead to their split, and much worse.
Do You Love Me?
Audrey Sheppard Williams: Do you love me?
Hank Williams: Most the time I do
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Doctor: Congratulations, you have a son, Mr. Williams.
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Hank Williams: He's going to have a real dad, not like it was for me.
Everything seemed to be on the up and up for Hank and wife Audrey. They were in love and welcomed a son, something that Hank vowed to get right.
You're Too Wild
Hank Williams: I'm going down to Nashville to get on the Opry.
Jim Denny: Opry's a brand and you're too wild for it, Hank.
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Hank Williams: I gave up giving a damn about what other people think a long time ago... I write what I write and I sing what I sing cause that's what I do.
Hank tells others that he is destined to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. But Jim Denny, on the other hand, feels that Hank's antics and wild lifestyle would tarnish their respectable brand.
A Small Part for Hank
Dore Schary: I saw your press release announcing our deal. You fellas played it up nicely.
Fred Rose: We were generally pleased with the response.
Dore Schary: Well, we're thinking of a part for Hank in Small Town Girl with Farley Granger and Jane Powell.
Fred Rose: My wife loves Jane Powell.
Dore Schary: Perfect, so does America.
Fred Rose: Yeah
Dore Schary: And, as we discussed, Fred, that would be no more than four weeks work and a salary of $4,500 a week. That's quite a lot of money, isn't it?
Hank Williams: That's not as much as I could make going on the road, is it Fred?
Dore Schary: Well, I'm sure between Freddy and I, we can come to an arrangement if we're all serious.
In a meeting with Dire Schary, Hank and Fred discuss the details of Hank starring in the film Small Town Girl. Hank doesn't seem too interested but in his benefit, this does make his compensation to film a bit stronger.
Country Music, It's Sincere
Hank Williams: Everybody has a little darkness in them and I'm talking about things like anger, sorrow, shame. I show it to them and they hear it and they don't have to take it home. Country music, it's sincere. Man sings a sad song he knows is sad.
Hank describes how he writes his music and the effect it has on people. People know it's sad, but it's also therapeutic to listeners.
Think You Can Treat Me Right
Audrey Sheppard Williams: You go out on the road and you sleep with a different woman every night.
Hank Williams: I need you with me.
Audrey Sheppard Williams: You think you can treat me right then?
Hank Williams: I can try!
Marital troubles come to a head between Hank and Audrey. While Hank knows he's been less than a perfect husband, he still loves Audrey and wants to try to work things out.
A Professional At Making a Mess
Audrey Sheppard Williams: You're barely even here. You're barely even a father now.
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Hank Williams: Boy I'm a professional at making a mess of things.
As Audrey points out, Hank is not a great husband and has made quite the mess of his life with her and their son. He is, however, very good at making that mess, if one gets any credit for that.
Tough on Marriage
Fred Rose: Business is tough on marriage.
Hank Williams: Marriage is tough on marriage.
In speaking about marital troubles, Fred and Hank have different ideas about why Hank's marriage to Audrey is failing. Fred sees Hank's profession as one factor while Hank feels differently.
Hard Lives That Folk Singers Live
James Dolan: There's a lot of speculation about the hard lives that folk singers live.
Hank Williams: What do you mean, hard?
Hank is asked about the hard lives of folk singers by journalist James Dolan. While Hank doesn't immediately give a clear answer on the question, it's hard not to notice that Hank is dealing with a few demons in his life.
I Offered Him a Contract Right Then
Fred Rose: When he first came to see me, he played some songs he had written and I offered him a contract right then and there.
Hank Williams's producer Fred Rose explains how he instantly saw that Hank was talented the first time they met. Fred offered him a contract on the spot, a decision that proved to be a wise one.