Watch Baby the Rain Must Fall

"Baby the Rain Must Fall" is a 1965 drama film directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Steve McQueen, Lee Remick, and Don Murray. Set in the small town of Columbus, Texas, in the 1950s, the story follows Henry Thomas (McQueen), a troubled musician who's just been released from prison for manslaughter. Upon his release, he heads back to Columbus where he is reunited with his wife Georgette (Remick) and their young daughter, Margaret Rose.

The couple's relationship is strained due to Henry's past mistakes and his ongoing struggle with his temper and alcoholism. He's determined to make a new start and provide for his family, but his unpredictable behavior and poor decision-making only serve to exacerbate their problems. Meanwhile, Georgette is left to deal with the fallout of Henry's actions and the disapproval of her judgmental mother (Ruth White) who disdains Henry and does not want her daughter to have anything to do with him.

Things come to a head when Henry's old friend and manager, Slim (Don Murray), comes to town looking for him. Slim wants Henry to play in a band and go on the road with him, but Henry's past mistakes and his obligations to his family make it difficult for him to follow his dreams. Henry is torn between his love for Georgette and his passion for music, leading to a series of events that test their relationship and resolve.

One of the film's main strengths lies in the performances of its lead actors. McQueen delivers a powerful and nuanced portrayal of a tormented man trying to find redemption, while Remick brings depth and complexity to the role of a woman struggling to balance her love for her husband with her desire for stability and security. Murray, for his part, is excellent as Henry's friend and manager, providing a sense of urgency and excitement to the film's musical scenes.

The film is also notable for its use of music, which serves as a powerful emotional backdrop to the story. The soundtrack features songs written by the iconic folk-blues musician "Blind" Lemon Jefferson, whose music serves as a poignant reminder of the film's rural Texas setting and the struggles of its working-class characters. The film's emphasis on music and its connection to the characters' emotional states echoes Mulligan's previous film, "To Kill a Mockingbird," which also relied heavily on its music score to convey the mood and themes of the story.

Despite its strong performances and evocative soundtrack, "Baby the Rain Must Fall" is not without its flaws. The film's pacing is occasionally slow, and some of the scenes can feel overly melodramatic or contrived. The script also struggles to balance its themes of love, redemption, and the pursuit of artistic dreams, leading to some narrative inconsistencies.

Overall, "Baby the Rain Must Fall" is a well-acted and emotionally resonant drama that captures the spirit of small-town Texas life in the 1950s. Through its exploration of music, love, and redemption, the film offers a powerful commentary on the universal struggles of the human condition.

Baby the Rain Must Fall is a 1965 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.