Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! is the 1989 sequel to the 1983 cult classic Eddie and the Cruisers, and despite being a failure at the box office, has since joined its predecessor as a cult favorite. It is directed by Jean-Claude Lord, and based on literary characters created by author P. F. Kluge. Michael Paré and Matthew Laurance reprise their roles as Eddie Wilson and Sal Amato, respectively. The film is marketed with the tagline "The legend. The music. The man."

Director Lord and several members of the film's supporting cast (Marina Orsini, Vlasta Vrana, and Mark Brennan) had previously worked together on the French-Canadian television series Lance et Compte.

Plot summary

Satin Records, who twenty years prior had rejected Eddie and the Cruisers last album, A Season in Hell, launches an "Eddie Lives!" campaign to make more money from his image in a publicity stunt, despite them not believing he is alive. The record label re-releases the band's first album, which becomes an even bigger hit than it had on its first release. As seen in the first film, the "lost recordings" from Season in Hell are released and become yet another hit album. In fact, Eddie Wilson is living, and had simply slipped away following the car crash in which he was believed killed. By that stage in his life, he simply wanted to leave music behind him. The newly generated constant spotlight surrounding his supposed death angers the reclusive rocker, by now living in Canada as a construction worker under the name Joe West.

But, when he gets involved in a struggling street band, it's not long before his passion for music - not to mention his desperate anger - resurfaces, and a decision must be made to determine Eddie's fate once and for all. After unrelenting attempts by local guitarist Rick Diesel, Eddie finally begins to play again. The two go about Montreal hand-picking musicians for a new band, Rock Solid. Despite Eddie fighting the progress of the band every step of the way, Rock Solid begins to tour and wows audiences everywhere. Their popularity closely mirrors Eddie's former success with Eddie and the Cruisers, and he begins to see the similarities.

Rock Solid is discovered by executives from his former nemesis Satin Records, who rejected his album A Season in Hell twenty years earlier. His girlfriend Dianne Armani thwarts his attempt to drive himself off another bridge, and Eddie finally takes the stage with Rock Solid, leading to the band steadily becoming more popular. Rock Solid is selected to play the Montréal Music Festival, which will be the band's big debut. Prior to the performance, Eddie realizes that he has to make peace with his past. He shaves his moustache and cuts his hair to appear as he did twenty years before, and dons a black T-shirt and leather jacket. Then Eddie reconnects with former Cruisers bassist Sal Amato at the same beach from years ago, only to have an anguished Sal charge at him for disappearing without a trace so many years ago. A tearful Eddie apologizes to his bandmate and they make up. Just before taking the stage at Montreal, he receives a telegram which simply reads "Eddie Lives—Love, Sal".

Satin Records takes notice of this new band, which dredges up bad memories for Eddie, and reassures him "We'll do it your way this time." However, after a while, he decides it is time to embrace his destiny. At the end of the band's first song, Eddie introduces all the members of the band, concluding the announcements with "and me... I'm Eddie Wilson."

Cast

• Michael Paré - Eddie Wilson / Joe West
• Marina Orsini - Dianne Armani
• Bernie Coulson - Rick Diesel
• Matthew Laurance - Sal Amato
• Harvey Atkin - Lew Eisen

Special guest appearances by:

• Larry King
• Martha Quinn
• Bo Diddley

External links

• Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! at the Internet Movie Database
• Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! at AllRovi
• Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! at Rotten Tomatoes