It kinda meanders solidly for about ¾ of its run time, but honestly that final 30 or so minutes is outstanding.

<em>'Honkytonk Man'</em> isn't, at least to me, the most interesting or enjoyable for the first hour or so, with many satisfactory if meh scenes and even an odd one featuring a minor, but to my proper surprise the concluding moments of this 1982 release really do leave an imprint - I love the ending.

Clint Eastwood is solid, as seemingly always, for the majority before really coming up with some big acting chops, though credit also goes to the make-up department for making him look the way his character ought to - which really sells it. Kyle Eastwood can't really act beside him, but as a child actor he brings the necessary innocence etc.

It was barely a 7/10 rating from me until the conclusion, which elevates it up sizeably.