Rhinestone Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Dolly Parton makes a bet that she can turn Sylvester Stallone into a country singer, proving that with enough rhinestones, anything is possible, even musical talent.

🍿 Rhinestone: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Jake’s Dilemma and the Bet

Jake Farris, a talented country singer from Tennessee, finds herself stuck in a contract with Freddie Ugo, a sleazy nightclub owner in New York City. Desperate to escape the exploitative agreement, Jake makes a daring bet with Freddie: she can transform anyone into a successful country singer within a matter of weeks. If she succeeds, she’s free from her contract.

Nick Martinelli: The Unlikely Protégé

Freddie gets to pick Jake’s test subject and chooses Nick Martinelli, a loud, brash, and decidedly uncultured New York City cab driver. Nick is completely out of his element when it comes to country music and Southern charm. Jake now faces the daunting task of transforming this urban cabbie into a credible country performer.

Tennessee Training and Culture Clash

Jake takes Nick back to her rural Tennessee home, where she attempts to teach him the basics of country music, Southern manners, and the lifestyle he’ll need to embody. The training is filled with hilarious culture clashes and awkward moments as Nick struggles to adapt to his new surroundings, much to the amusement (and sometimes dismay) of Jake’s family and friends.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nick (Sylvester Stallone): A loudmouthed New York cabbie who gets roped into a bet to become a country singer.
• Jake Farris (Dolly Parton): An aspiring country singer who makes a bet that she can turn anyone into a singing star.
• Freddie Ugo (Ron Leibman): The sleazy nightclub owner who makes a bet with Jake, setting the whole plot in motion.
• Noah Farris (Richard Farnsworth): Jake’s father, a traditional country man who provides support and wisdom.
• Barnett Kale (Tim Thomerson): Jake’s former lover, tries to sabotage her and Nick’s efforts to prove their singing abilities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nick Martinelli: “Budweiser you created a monster and they call him Drinkenstein.” – Nick loudly sings this off-key, while playing the organ, much to the shock of everyone around.
• Jake Farris: “Freddie, there are two kinds of people in this world, and you ain’t one of ’em!” – Jake says this line to her sleazy boss, just before she makes the bet that sets the film’s plot in motion.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,435,321
• Worldwide Gross: $21,435,321

💥 Rhinestone Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit it, ‘Rhinestone’ has a special place in my heart. Yes, it’s cheesy, and Stallone’s singing is… well, let’s just say it’s memorable. But there’s something endearing about the whole ridiculousness of it. Dolly Parton is always a delight, and the fish-out-of-water story, while predictable, is still fun. I find myself smiling and humming along every time I watch it. It’s so bad it’s good!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Dolly Parton”
  • “People who enjoy cheesy 80s comedies”
  • “Those looking for a light-hearted, predictable movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive themes”
  • “Potentially offensive stereotypes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Rhinestone is a gaudy, tuneless mess, proving that even the combined star power of Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton can’t polish this rhinestone into anything remotely resembling a gem.
• AllMovie: “Though not entirely unwatchable, Rhinestone does nothing to advance the career of anyone involved. The script is weak, and the direction is uninspired. Only Dolly Parton emerges unscathed, her charm shining through despite the material.
• IMDb: “While some find it hilariously bad, most agree ‘Rhinestone’ is a cheesy, poorly executed attempt at comedy. Stallone’s singing is a major point of criticism. Only Parton’s charm and a few genuinely funny moments save it from total disaster.

Audience Reactions

The over-the-top costumes and Stallone’s terrible singing make it a laugh riot.: Many viewers admit to finding the movie hilariously bad, especially Stallone’s attempts to sing country music.

Dolly Parton’s natural charm and musical talent make the movie watchable.: Dolly Parton’s performance is generally seen as the saving grace of the film.

Overall Consensus: Rhinestone is widely considered a critical failure, known for its cheesy humor and Stallone’s questionable singing, but some viewers find it entertainingly bad and enjoy Dolly Parton’s performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sylvester Stallone turned down the male lead in ‘Romancing the Stone’ and ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ to make this film.”
• “Phil Alden Robinson, the screenwriter, was so unhappy with Stallone’s rewrites that he considered removing his name from the film.”
• “Dolly Parton has stated that the soundtrack for ‘Rhinestone’ contains some of her best work.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rhinestone?

As of today, you can rent or purchase “Rhinestone” on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on major streaming subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rhinestone, you might like these similar films:

• Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980): A biopic about Loretta Lynn’s rise to country music stardom, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of a country singer.
• Staying Alive (1983): Like Rhinestone, it showcases a star known for a different genre (John Travolta) venturing into the world of dance, with mixed results.
• A Star is Born (2018): A more modern and dramatic take on the story of a seasoned performer helping a newcomer achieve fame, with a strong focus on music.

🛒 Rhinestone Related Products

• Rhinestone (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the musical moments with Dolly Parton’s original songs and Sylvester Stallone’s…unique…interpretations of country classics. A must-have for fans of the film.
• Dolly Parton: Songteller: My Life in Lyrics: Dolly Parton’s own book that gives insight to her musical career. Perfect for getting a deeper dive into the artist’s catalog.
• Rhinestone Cowboy Hat: Strut your stuff with a stylish, shiny cowboy hat, the bedazzled version, of course. Make sure to have extra glue handy!
• Trancers (Full Moon Features): Get to know actor Tim Thomerson in Trancers (1984). He plays Barnett Kale, a nightclub singer.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rhinestone features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tennessee Homesick Blues” – performed by Dolly Parton
• “God Won’t Get You” – performed by Dolly Parton
• “What a Heartache” – performed by Dolly Parton
• “Stay Out of My Bedroom” – performed by Dolly Parton & Sylvester Stallone

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sylvester Stallone sings – “Drinkenstein”

Ever wonder if Sylvester Stallone has a hidden talent for singing? Well, this clip shows a scene from ‘Rhinestone’ and might make you cringe… or laugh! You’ve got to see this!

Rhinestone (part one) – This Aged Great!

Want to know if ‘Rhinestone’ still holds up today? This hilarious podcast review breaks down why the movie might not have aged well, but it’s still worth talking about. Trust me, you’ll laugh!

The Tonight Show – Rhinestone – 1/2

See Dolly Parton and maybe even Sly Stallone on The Tonight Show promoting Rhinestone! Get a taste of the movie’s hype back in the day. It’s a great throwback!

✨ Rate