A 1986 American musical drama directed by Walter Hill that follows a wannabe blues singer (Ralph Macchio) trying to find a lost song by a legendary singer and asks a fellow musician (Joe Seneca) for help but finds that there is a catch.
The movie also stars Jami Gertz, Joe Morton, Robert Judd, Dennis Lipscomb, and Harry Carey Jr.
It was released on March 14, 1986.
Tropes for the film:
- Chess with Death: The climax is a guitar battle between Eugene and Jack Butler (the Devil's chosen one) for Willie Brown's soul. Eugene wins.
- Deal with the Devil: Young guitar virtuoso Eugene has to help old Robert Johnson sideman Willie escape his contract with the Devil, leading to an axe-off with Steve Vai.
- One-Word Title: Crossroads.
- Fake Band: In the climax, Eugene enters a guitar duel to save his soul. He faces off against the Devil's guitarist, Jack Butler, played by Legendary guitar wizard Steve Vai (Vai played both parts of the duel; Macchio's parts in the rest of the film were played by legendary slide guitarist Ry Cooder).
- The Power of Rock: At the end of the film, it came down to a blues guitar duel with the devil's servant, Jack Butler (Steve Vai).
- Satan: Willie sold his soul to Scratch years ago for his skill on the harmonica, prompting classical-cum-blues guitarist Eugene to go double-or-nothing to get it back.
