Ethan Hawke Gives Merle Haggard The Heartfelt Documentary He Deserves With ‘Highway 99’

Ethan Hawke’s new two-part documentary, Highway 99: A Double Album, offers a rich, three-hour tribute to Merle Haggard, delving into the late country legend’s complex life and legacy with heartfelt reverence. Blending rare archival footage, audio interviews with Haggard, reflections by Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash, and performances by artists like Norah Jones and Jason Isbell, Hawke captures The Hag’s magnetic yet conflicted spirit, from his troubled youth and heartfelt songwriting to his contradictory political stances. The film’s intimate narrative, anchored by Hawke’s reflective journey through Haggard’s hometown of Bakersfield, reveals the man behind iconic songs like “Okie From Muskogee” and “I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am,” celebrating his enduring influence in a long-overdue cinematic homage. Highway 99 premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, and is set to hit streaming services once rights are secured. (Variety)