The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

Aside from a passable resemblance to the man himself, Gary Busey also sounds a bit like Buddy Holly in this biopic of a man who blazed a trail through the American music industry. Despite the popularity of his toe-tapping "Peggy Sue" type numbers, he still faced quite an uphill battle to convince the powers that be that his quirky style of lyric writing and performing was not quite as Satanic as some of the more establishment figures thought. With his two best pals - the "Crickets" never far away, we follow the tumultuous process as they fall in and out and Holly falls for the love of his own life - Maria (Maria Richwine). Busey does well here as he portrays a man in love with his music, his audience and the idea of opportunity whilst conflicted with a desire to stay at home and be with his family. Like so many who become alive on stage, there are huge amounts of nerves and a sense of uncertainly about his abilities and popularity - especially when he begins to become idolised and goes solo. There are plenty of opportunities to get into his songs here, and those of the Big Bopper and Eddie Cochran and the film not only serves to illustrate just how pioneering Holly was, but also just how influential he was within a group of musicians who were changing the scene for ever. The supporting roles are rather undercooked, and that can impact a little on the study of his character, but Busey really does own this part and director Steve Rash knew enough to let us watch and judge by ourselves. Sure, there's an element of mimicry here, but it does come across as natural and personable.