Trouble in Mind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An ex-con cop, a naive country couple, and a whole crew of weirdos including a gangster played by Divine collide in a perpetually rainy city while Keith Carradine’s hair undergoes an identity crisis.

🍿 Trouble in Mind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Rain City

The story unfolds in the atmospheric ‘Rain City,’ a fictional metropolis with a unique blend of futuristic and vintage aesthetics, seemingly operating under a loose military state. Into this world arrive Georgia and Coop, a young, naive couple from the countryside with their infant son, Spike. They are seeking a better life, but quickly find themselves struggling to make ends meet in the harsh urban environment.

Hawk’s Return to Wanda’s Cafe

Simultaneously, John Hawkins, known as Hawk, is released from prison after serving eight years for murder. A former Rain City police officer, Hawk returns to Wanda’s Cafe, a local haunt run by his ex-lover, Wanda. Wanda offers him a place to stay and work, providing a sense of stability in the chaotic city. Hawk, weary but observant, begins to reacquaint himself with the city’s underbelly and its inhabitants.

A Dangerous Alliance Forms

Desperate for money, Coop connects with Solo, a smooth-talking, philosophical criminal who frequents Wanda’s Cafe. Solo draws Coop into illicit activities, promising wealth and success. As Coop delves deeper into this criminal world, he begins to change, adopting flashy clothes and a more erratic personality, much to Georgia’s distress. Their activities soon catch the attention of Hilly Blue, the city’s flamboyant and ruthless crime boss.

Intersecting Lives and Shifting Loyalties

Georgia takes a job at Wanda’s Cafe, where she meets Hawk. Recognizing her innocence and vulnerability amidst the city’s dangers and Coop’s transformation, Hawk feels compelled to protect her. A connection forms between them, based on mutual support and a desire for something more genuine than the life Rain City offers. Wanda observes this developing relationship, reflecting on her past with Hawk and her own place in the city.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hawk (Kris Kristofferson): A recently released ex-cop and ex-con who returns to Rain City and becomes entangled in the lives of a young couple and the local crime scene.
• Coop (Keith Carradine): A naive young father who moves to Rain City seeking work but falls into a life of crime under the influence of Solo.
• Georgia (Lori Singer): The innocent wife of Coop who starts working at Wanda’s Cafe and becomes the subject of Hawk’s protective interest.
• Wanda (Geneviève Bujold): The straightforward owner of a key diner in Rain City and the former lover of the recently returned ex-con, Hawk.
• Solo (Joe Morton): A philosophical criminal who recruits and involves the newcomer Coop in illegal activities that challenge the city’s crime boss.
• Hilly Blue (Divine): The ruthless crime boss of Rain City who will not tolerate others encroaching on his established criminal operations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hawk: “The world’s full of nice people, Georgia. If you can’t find one, be one.” – Said by Hawk to Georgia as a piece of life advice, contrasting his world-weary perspective with her naive optimism.
• Coop: “I don’t ask for much. Just enough to get by. You know, on the way to getting rich.” – Spoken by Coop, highlighting his ambition for wealth despite his current circumstances, reflecting a core theme of the film.
• Wanda: “Nobody gets out clean.” – A cynical observation made by Wanda, reflecting the harsh realities and moral ambiguity of the world they inhabit in Rain City.
• Georgia: “Do you ever feel like you’re walking through somebody else’s dream?” – Asked by Georgia, capturing her sense of displacement and wonder in the strange, stylized environment of Rain City and her new life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,632
• Worldwide Gross: $19,632

💥 Trouble in Mind Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally saw “Trouble in Mind” and wow, it’s exactly the kind of weird, atmospheric movie I love. It just pulls you into this rainy, slightly off-kilter ‘Rain City’ world with its neon lights and strange characters. I was totally drawn into Hawk’s story, this ex-con cop trying to figure out where he fits in. His scenes with Wanda felt so layered, like they had years of history weighing on them. And then you have Coop and Georgia, this young couple just completely unprepared for city life – Coop’s transformation was wild to watch! The music by Mark Isham is just perfect for the mood; it’s jazzy and melancholic and wraps around the whole film. And honestly, Divine was unexpectedly fantastic as the villain, Hilly Blue. It’s one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll, making you think about the characters and that strange, beautiful city.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alan Rudolph’s unique directorial style”
  • “Viewers who appreciate atmospheric, moody films”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of neo-noir and stylish crime dramas”
  • “Those interested in unique visual aesthetics and character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Partial Nudity”
  • “Mature Themes (Crime, Despair)”
  • “Violence”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized: “Alan Rudolph crafts a moody, atmospheric neo-noir that’s more about vibe than strict plot. The Rain City setting feels wonderfully realized, a blend of 40s style and 80s quirk. While occasionally uneven, the film shines through its striking visuals, the melancholic Mark Isham score, and unique performances, particularly Divine’s memorable turn and Keith Carradine’s bizarre transformation. It’s a film that lingers, inviting repeat viewings to unlock its peculiar charm.
• Synthesized: “”Trouble in Mind” is a fascinating, often perplexing cinematic curio. Rudolph’s signature style, mixing romance, crime, and off-kilter characters, is on full display here. Kris Kristofferson anchors the film with a world-weary presence, while Geneviève Bujold provides grounded warmth. Though the narrative can feel loose, the film’s undeniable atmosphere and the strong ensemble cast, navigating a world that feels both futuristic and dated, make it a unique experience worth seeking out.

Audience Reactions

Divine’s performance as Hilly Blue is a surprising highlight.: Many viewers praise the film’s unique, moody atmosphere and striking visuals created by the Rain City setting.

Keith Carradine’s physical transformation throughout the movie is frequently noted as fascinating.: The Mark Isham score and Marianne Faithfull’s vocal contributions are widely appreciated for enhancing the film’s tone.

Overall Consensus: A cult favorite, celebrated for its distinctive neo-noir style, atmosphere, unique characters, and memorable music, despite a sometimes meandering plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot primarily in Seattle, Washington, taking advantage of the city’s unique architecture and frequent rain to create the distinct ‘Rain City’ setting.”
• “Director Alan Rudolph described the film’s style as ‘romance noir,’ blending elements of crime drama with a focus on character relationships and atmospheric mood.”
• “Kris Kristofferson and Keith Carradine had previously worked together on Alan Rudolph’s film ‘Welcome to L.A.’ (1976), establishing a working relationship before ‘Trouble in Mind’.”
• “Geneviève Bujold’s character, Wanda, runs a cafe called ‘Wanda’s Cafe’, which serves as a central meeting point for many of the film’s characters and a key location.”

🖥️ How to Watch Trouble in Mind?

Finding ‘Trouble in Mind’ can be a bit of a treasure hunt, as it’s not widely available on standard streaming subscription services. Based on user reviews and typical availability for catalog titles, you can often find it available for purchase or rent digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu. Physical copies, particularly DVDs, might be found for sale online via retailers like Amazon or specialty film stores. It’s always recommended to check your preferred digital marketplace for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Trouble in Mind, you might like these similar films:

• Blade Runner (1982): Shares a distinct neo-noir atmosphere, a stylized, rain-soaked urban setting (Rain City vs. future Los Angeles), and a focus on existential themes and character mood.
• Paris, Texas (1984): Also stars Harry Dean Stanton and features a similar introspective, character-driven approach, exploring themes of rootlessness and finding connections in unusual circumstances, though in a different setting.
• Repo Man (1984): A quirky, cult classic from the same era with a unique blend of genre elements (crime, sci-fi, comedy), a distinctive visual style, and a focus on characters operating on the fringes of society.
• Drive (2011): A modern neo-noir that, while more action-oriented, shares a strong emphasis on atmosphere, a quiet, enigmatic protagonist, and explores themes of crime, protection, and moral compromise.
• The Long Goodbye (1973): A classic neo-noir with a detached, somewhat world-weary protagonist navigating a morally ambiguous world, similar in tone and character study to Hawk’s journey.

🛒 Trouble in Mind Related Products

• Trouble in Mind – Shout! Factory Special Edition DVD/Blu-ray: A high-quality transfer of the film with bonus features, including interviews with the cast and crew, offering deeper insights into the making of this unique movie.
• Divine: The Divine David White (Biography/Documentary): Explore the fascinating life and career of the iconic drag queen and actor Divine, whose performance in Trouble in Mind is a standout.
• Neo-Noir Film Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): A curated set featuring classic and modern neo-noir films, allowing fans to explore the genre that ‘Trouble in Mind’ uniquely contributes to.
• Rainy City Photography Book (e.g., Seattle): Stunning photography capturing the moody, rain-soaked streets and unique architecture of cities like Seattle, which served as the backdrop for ‘Rain City’.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Trouble in Mind” – performed by Marianne Faithfull
• “El Gavilan” – performed by Marianne Faithfull
• “Original Score” – performed by Mark Isham

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

🤨 FAQ

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