Urban Cowboy (1980)

Great Film overall

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

When released in 1980, "Urban Cowboy" was the third in a triumvirate of sorts: iconic films starring John Travolta within a four year period, each of which made a huge cultural impact due to its success. "Saturday Night Fever" (1970) was based upon an article in New York magazine. It foreshadowed and contributed to the disco music revolution, especially through the soaring vocals of the Bee Gees. "Grease" (1978) brought the popular stage musical to the big screen and introduced America-especially teens-to the music and cultural stylings of the 50s. "Urban Cowboy" (1980), adapted from an article in Esquire magazine, gave a boost to country music and brought cowboy chic to millions.Each of these films emphasized a distinctive dance style and helped popularize the idea that it's sexy for men to dance."Urban Cowboy" stars Travolta as Bud-a young man willing to work hard to finance his weekend entertainments and, eventually, his unknown future. Bud struggles with what it means to be a real man.Sissy (Debra Winger) is a young woman who also comes from the world of trailer homes and beer-fueled weekends. She struggles to find a place for her authentic self within a Texas culture where women are expected to be subservient and demure.The film has a very authentic feel and, in fact, is shot in some locations that actually are central to the urban cowboy trend, where men who no longer rope cattle still want to identify with the rough-and-tumble masculinity of the Marlboro man. Gilley's nightclub, in particular, was a filming location that became a Mecca for any who might seek the urban cowboy experience.The acting in this film is wonderful. Scott Glenn deserves mention for his portrayal of Wes, an ex-con who is Bud's antagonist. Steeped in the music of its time and especially country music, it's a well-written story that takes the viewer into another world makes him/her care about two people who love each other yet find it difficult to stay together. It's a classic that can be viewed over and over.

As a native Texan, I really love this film because at least it tries to paint a picture of the urban lifestyle of Texans who long for the more independent pioneer days, but in order to make a living must reside in an urban jungle of glass and concrete.John Travolta plays Bud, a young man who comes from the countryside of Texas and moves in with his aunt and uncle in Houston, looking for work in the oil industry so he can buy some land back home and settle down. However, along the way he discovers the Houston nightlife, Pasadena's Gilley's in particular. He meets a girl that frequents the bar and, based upon not much more than the fact that they seem to know the same dance steps, they hastily marry. The bride, Sissy (Debra Winger), is probably not more than twenty.The two really don't know each other, have never lived on their own, and have definitely never perfected the fine art of housekeeping, starting with dishwashing. Add in a brand new mechanical bull at Gilley's and its operator, Wes, a recently paroled ex-con played by Scott Glenn who has the hots for Sissy, and you have a recipe for disaster for our immature young couple.The fine cast is rounded out by Barry Corbin as Bud's ex-rodeo star uncle who dishes out sage advice, Madolyn Smith Osborne as the darling adult daughter of a rich oil man who collects cowboy lovers to ease her boredom, and Mickey Gilley as himself. This was Debra Winger's first leading film role and the start of a tide of good roles in hits that she had during the 1980s. This film was close to the end of a tide of hits for John Travolta, as he fell into obscurity during the 1980's, only to be rediscovered by the public by playing opposite a talking baby in "Look Who's Talking". Well, Gilley's burned down long ago, but this almost 38 year old film was an entertaining if not accurate picture of big city Texas life at that time. For a more accurate look at how suburban Texans live see the TV show "King of the Hill", accurate right down to the Texas shaped clock in the kitchen and the elementary schools named after Dallas Cowboy legends.The overall IMDb rating of this movie in the year 2017 is probably accurate - 6 plus out of 10. I added one star for the personal nostalgia it brings me. I added another because of the simply wonderful soundtrack and the fact that for a few months in 1980, after it came out, it filled the bars of Texas with people who were accountants and engineers by day who thought they could dance the Cotton Eyed Joe at night.

The cowboy Bud Davis (John Travolta) moves from his homeland of Spur to Houston to work with his Uncle Bob (Narry Corbon) in a refinery. During the night, they go to the Gilley's Club where Bob introduces his nephew to his friends. Bud meets Sissy (Debra Winger) at the club and soon they fall in love with each other and get married. Sissy is an independent working girl and Bud is a male chauvinist that believes in the traditional role of the wife, cooking, ironing and making love. When Gilley's buys a mechanical bull for the clients, Bud likes to ride it and does not allow Sisy to ride. However she goes to the club in the afternoon and the ex-convict and operator of the bull Wes Hightower (Scott Glenn) teaches her how to ride. When Bud learns that Sissy lied to him, Bud becomes jealous and has a love affair with the wealthy Pam (Madolyn Smith) and Sissy goes to Wes' trailer. Along the days, they fight each other and try to make the other jealous. When Gilley's announces a mechanical bull's dispute, Bud wants to win Wes. Will he succeed? "Urban Cowboy" is a silly film with unlikable and immature characters. Bud Davis is an unbearable character and Sissy is immature and fool. But the music score and the dances are highly entertaining. In addition, it is delightful to see Debra Winger very young. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Cowboy do Asfalto" ("Asphalt Cowboy")

Does anyone know what kind of pickup John T drove? I looks like a mid to late 70's Ford. This movie is my favorite as well as my wife's. It was the first memorable movie we saw as a married couple. The pick up is of interest as it is similar to the first truck I drove and recently found another like it. I would like to restore the pick up I have to resemble the on in the movie. Also the music was awesome, and the acting was great. Where and what is the lady who portrayed John's aunt? Also did John have a stunt double for the scene on the tower when he almost fell? Also what year of Mustang did Debra W drive in this show. It looked like a 60's model. Thanks,