Watch That's the Way of the World

That's the Way of the World is a 1975 drama film directed by Michael Schultz. The movie follows the story of a young talented musician named Record Company Executive Coleman Buckmaster, played by Harvey Keitel, who is tasked with finding and signing new talent for his record company, Biltmore Records. Buckmaster encounters an aspiring female singing trio, The Pages, and sees potential in them to become a successful group. Along with his colleague, co-executive Carl, played by Ed Nelson, Buckmaster begins working on developing the group's sound and finding them opportunities to perform.

At the same time, Buckmaster must navigate the music industry, with all of its cutthroat tactics and backstabbing, to ensure that The Pages get the recognition they deserve. The group, made up of three young women, voiced by Cynthia Bostick, Diane Lane, and Rae Dawn Chong, struggle with the industry's demands and Buckmaster's control over their sound. Buckmaster's relationship with The Pages becomes complicated as he tries to balance his desire for their success with this will to do what's best for the record company.

As The Pages' career takes off, Buckmaster's role in their success becomes more significant, and he begins to understand the power of the music industry and those behind the scenes. As he navigates the cutthroat music industry, he realizes that he must make difficult decisions that could end his career.

The movie is set in the 1970s, and it features a fantastic soundtrack with famous artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, and Stephanie Mills. The film's visuals match the 1970s aesthetic, with vibrant colors, wild fashion statements, and funky music.

That's the Way of the World is an engaging drama that deals with themes of power, ambition, and personal and professional relationships. The film has a powerful message about the art of making music, its commercialization, and how the industry can damage one's creativity. It leaves the audience wondering if success is worth sacrificing one's ideals and artistic vision.

Harvey Keitel delivers a powerful performance as Coleman Buckmaster, showing both the ambition and the desperation of the character. His scenes with the other characters, especially The Pages, are intense and emotionally charged. Although The Pages are fictional characters, the film shows an accurate understanding of what it is like to be a Black woman in the music industry.

The Pages, the female trio, also deliver an exceptional performance, capturing the voices of young Black women determined to make it in the cutthroat music industry. The trio's music has a distinctive style that speaks to a time and place in music history.

The movie's strong performances, excellent soundtrack, and powerful storyline are what make it a classic. That's the Way of the World is a snapshot of a different era in music history and an acknowledgment that the struggle for success in the music industry has always been challenging, and it often takes a toll on those within it.

In conclusion, That's the Way of the World is an excellent film for anyone who loves music, drama, and a glimpse into a bygone era. It is an engrossing story that never lingers or wastes time, delivering its story with efficiency and precision. The movie leaves the audience with an understanding that personal and professional relationships, ambition, creativity, and success are a complicated mix that is difficult to balance. It is a film that never becomes cheesy or melodramatic but delivers a heartfelt, genuine message about the music industry's pitfalls and rewards.

That's the Way of the World is a 1975 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 6.1.