Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Frustrating. That is how I would describe this unfocused and sadly unengaging biopic of legendary country singer Hank Williams, the man responsible for such memorable ditties as What You Got Cooking and Cold Cold Heart.At one time or another spoken about as being a likely contender at the Academy Awards, Marc Abraham's film that features an outstanding and deservedly acknowledged performance from British superstar Tom Hiddleston, I Saw the Light became a true non-event upon release around the world, making a paltry $1.6 million at the worldwide box office and a fate even worse here in Australia where it has been dumped straight onto home release without even the slightest bit of fanfare around, which is such a shame considering the material and tools at Abraham's disposal.William's story from that centres on an incredible rise to fame from a relatively sad upbringing is completely mishandled by Abraham with the film rarely, if ever, offering up much lead in or background to Williams bar an impressive meltdown at a music festival where Williams addresses the crowd under extreme duress. It's nigh on infuriating that we're never really allowed inside this talented performers mindset or history and makes the film feel as though it's at arm's length away at all times.This feeling of disconnect can be laid almost entirely to blame on Abraham as Hiddleston who has still perhaps been at his best as Loki in The Avengers before this film rather than the over praised Only Lovers Left Alive, The Deep Blue Sea and the overrated BBC series The Night Manager makes this role his own from the word go.As the camera slowly lingers in towards Hiddleston performing an impressive instrument free rendition (Hiddleston performs all his own songs here as well as playing the guitar) of hit William's song Cold Cold Heart to an intently concentrating audience, you forget that you're watching the British actor and feel as though you're instead witnessing the complete re-embodying of Williams. It's a turn that deserves a much better movie even if he gets solid support from Elizabeth Olsen as William's long suffering love Audrey.I Saw the Light is a real missed opportunity to not only tell the story of Williams but give Hiddleston the film his performance deserved and while the die-hard fans of Williams may find this film better than us Williams outsiders, it would be very hard to find many other reasons to watch this soulless film other than to see Hiddleston deliver the acting turn of his career so far.2 electric garage door buttons out of 5

Tom Hiddelston portrays Hank Sr spot on. He had the difficult task of singing like the most iconic voice in country music history,in my opinion, Hank Williams and was spot on. The other movie based on Hank that I have seen Your Cheatin Heart(1964) was way more lame and inaccurate than this one. The singing in that one was done by Hank Williams Jr and badly lip synced by George Hamilton. I was raised on Hank Williams music by my father and I believe he would have enjoyed this portrayal. And he told me and I have heard Audrey Williams sing. Elizabeth Olsen singing was much better than Audrey's, just saying. Tom did an excellent job of playing this role. Many people think this movie was awful, but they need to see Your Cheatin Heart (1964) and they will really appreciate this movie. Mr. Hiddelston shouldn't be dismissed because he plays Loki in MCU. He has talent and I believe many should give this movie another chance.

Tom Hiddleston looks like Hank - but he can't sing like him at all. He totally lacks the country twang. I am not country music expert but I could tell from the first song he just didn't have it. Don't know why they didn't dub him. What did they expect when they cast an English actor to play and sing Hank. Elizabeth Olson is kind of out of place too. Looks too non Southern.The story isn't good. There are these conversations about things instead of showing things happening. Lots of stuff takes place in shadows and dimly lit rooms. The scenes are boring.No wonder it flopped. A real yawn.

I watched this movie yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. It is hard to turn your eyes away from the screen. I had to remind myself that I was not watching the real Hank Williams...Hiddleston is that good in the part. His movements as he sang were just like Hank. He sounded good, too. Hard to believe he was actually singing and talking like Hank...and Tom is a Brit. I also liked the slower pace of the movie...gave me a chance to feel Hank's back pain, love, loss, alcoholism. The 40s-50s time period was a treat to watch along with all the old recording equipment. I especially enjoyed seeing the vintage kitchen...even had the long sink/counter that people would take with them when they moved in those days. After I watched this movie, I got out my old Hank albums and listened again. So good and gone way too soon.