Release Date: 4/6/84

Cast: Rick Springfield, Janet Eilber, Patti Hansen, Albert Salmi

Director: Larry Peerce
Categories: Romance
Running Time: 93 minutes
Rick's Character name: James Roberts

Synopsis:  Grammy-winning superstar Rick Springfield makes his big screen debut in this sizzling rock and roll romance featuring seven brand new Springfield songs, including his latest smash, "Love Somebody," along with songs by Peter Gabriel, Graham Parker, and Nona Hendryx.  Jamie Roberts (Springfield) is the hottest star in town.  Diana Lawson (Eibler) works with children and only has ears for Tony Bennett.  When Jamie falls for Diana, he finds that music isn't always the food of love - especially when it comes with groupies and a jealous ex-girlfriend (Hansen).  With a true-to-life screenplay by Flashdance's Tom Hedley and nonstop score by today's chart-topping artists, Hard to Hold is the one for music fans to grab! (taken from the back cover of the VHS movie Hard to Hold)

Critic Review:

Hard to Hold was designed to promote pop singer Rick Springfield as a viable screen personality. That it falls short is not necessarily the fault of Springfield, who does his best with the tools at hand. The star is appropriately cast as an immensely successful recording artist named James Roberts. As a result of a fender-bender accident, Roberts meets and falls in love with child psychologist Diana Lawson (Janet Eilber), who is not the least bit impressed with James' wealth or fame. He spends the rest of the picture following (but not stalking, mind you) Diana all over San Francisco, much to the discomfort of his lovelorn writing partner Nicky Nides (Patti Hanson). Naturally, the two protagonists finally come together, and though the first part of the film contains enough humor and warmth to be entertaining, the film quickly spirals into melodrama during the second half. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fan Reviews:

Oh my, you know this is one of my favorites!!!  I was so dedicated (psycho) that I had my really hip aunt calling the theaters asking what movie the PREVIEW was being shown with, they thought we were insane.  I watched "The Big Chill" 3 times just to see the preview.  Saw Hard To Hold 27 times total in the theaters.  When I graduated from high school that year, I got a typewriter, a suitcase and the VHS version of H2H....hmm..guess which one got used the most!!!

I did not realize how badly the movie was edited until I watched it years later.  Wow, it was bad, and that kissing in the taxi scene-how phony is that??  But I must confess I thought it was as wonderful then as I do now!! My only complaint was the person they chose to play his love interest. There was no chemistry between them.  I mean, I know she had to be a child psychologist kind of looking person, but I remember thinking "she is so NOT WORTHY of that privilege!" 

My favorite scene hands down, Rick walking around looking for Miss Pathetic after her dad died in that PEA COAT!!!  I love the coat, the collar turned up, wow the coat.  I beg my husband to wear one even now and he won't.....very selfish if you ask me!!!!  And then the scene where he kind of tells her off in the park "if you're too scared to take a chance, then I don't want it".  Oh man! GET RID OF HER !!!!  Whew..ok..I am done.

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