My review was written in July 1988 after watching the film on Charter video cassette.
"Scenes from the Goldmine" is a diverting drama abo9ut success and disillusionment on the rock music scene. Familiar storyline is punched up by an excellent song track, good performances and tight direction.
Currently in home video distribution, pic's theatrical release was minimal, following an unveiling at last year's Houston Film Festgival, with a brief run in Cleveland.
Pic limns the hard-luck tale of Debi DiAngelo (Catherine Mary Stewart), lovely keyboard player-vocalist-composer who gets a gig with up-and-coming rock group Niles Dresden & The Pieces.
Dresden (Cameron Dye) becomes romantically involved with her, but as the groups' big break comes in signing with a record label, it doesn't take much coercing from evil Rush Records magnate Manny (Joe Pantoliano) to get Dresden to take credit for her songs and ease her out of the big time. As directed by Marc Rocco, who also contributed to the screenplay and background music, "Scenes" credibly depicts the real-world problem of receiving accurate credit (and remuneration) for one's creative efforts and doesn't pull any punches.
Highlighted by that song "Lonely Dancer", penned by Melissa Etheridge, as well as other strong numbers by Bobby Woods ("Every Good Girl Falls") and the team of Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance ("Play to Win", alternate moniker for the film), pic benefits greatly from having the lead thesps handle their own on-screen singing. Catherine Mary Stewart is feisty and affecting in the lead role of Debi, while Cameron Dye is properly glamorous and evil as Dresden, luring her along; both vocalize ably.
Joe Pantoliano scores as the venal Manny, making the stereotypical character come alive. Jewel Shepard essays some dramatic moments well as Debi's best friend who faces the problems of unwed pregnancy and real-life performers John Ford Coley and Timothy B. Schmit bring credibility to the band and milieu.
