Straight Talk (1992)
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44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
51% of users liked it
(7,019 ratings)
Dolly Parton and James Woods as the screen's hottest new romantic team? That's only one of several casting surprises in this romantic comedy. Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) has had enough of life in her small Arkansas town, not to mention her small-minded Arkansas boyfriend Steve (Michael… More Dolly Parton and James Woods as the screen's hottest new romantic team? That's only one of several casting surprises in this romantic comedy. Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) has had enough of life in her small Arkansas town, not to mention her small-minded Arkansas boyfriend Steve (Michael Madsen). So she decides to head for the big city of Chicago, where she applies for a job as a receptionist at a talk radio station. However, she arrives at the studios just as the staff are frantically searching for the psychiatrist hired to host a call-in show for people seeking advice with their personal problems. Shirlee is put on the air by mistake, and, while she lacks a degree in psychology, she has common sense to spare, and her no-nonsense advice makes the show a hit. Soon "Doctor Shirlee" is the talk of the town, but reporter Jack Russell (James Woods) senses that she might not be all she's supposed to be. Jack does some investigating and finds out the truth about Shirlee, but by this time the two have met and he's fallen in love with her. Will Jack obey his responsibilities as a journalist, or follow his heart? Straight Talk's supporting cast includes filmmaker John Sayles, monologist Spalding Gray, actor and producer Griffin Dunne, and future Lois Lane Teri Hatcher. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Barnet Kellman
- Written By
- Craig Bolotin
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- In Theaters
- Apr 3, 1992 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Dolly Parton's immense likablity makes this very slight film an amiable watch.
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John Urbancich, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Dolly does Chicago -- and not much else.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
"cheerful comedy, well-played by Parton"
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dolly Parton
as Dr. Shirlee Kenyon
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James Woods
as Jack Russell
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Griffin Dunne
as Alan Riegert
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Jerry Orbach
as Milo Jacoby
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Michael Madsen
as Steve Labell
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Deirdre O'Connell
as Lily
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Charles Fleischer
as Tony
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John Sayles
as Guy Girardi
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Teri Hatcher
as Janice
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Spalding Gray
as Dr. Erdman
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Philip Bosco
as Gene Perlman
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Keith MacKechnie
as Gordon
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Jay Thomas
as Zim Zimmerman
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Amy Morton
as Ann
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Tom Amandes
as 1st Waiter
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Scott Benjaminson
as Valet
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Etel Billig
as Thelma
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Kate Buddeke
as Tina
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Domenica Cameron-Scorsese
as 1st Girl
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Anthony Cannata
as Bud
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Roger Christiansen
as Technical Director
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Lorenzo Clemons
as Mr. Isaacs
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Paul Dinello
as Casey
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Gilmary Doyle
as 1st Fan
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Robin Eurich
as Bill
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Ralph Foody
as Desk Clerk
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Ray Friedeck
as Mr.Polonsky
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Jeff Garlin
as Bob
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John Gegenhuber
as 2nd Waiter
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Irma P. Hall
as Ethel
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Tony Judge
as Officer
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Robert Kurcz
as Phil
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Tracy Letts
as Sean
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Ron Livingston
as Soldier
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Dana Lubotsky
as 2nd Girl
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Jane Lynch
as Gladys
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Susan Messing
as Make-up Woman
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Paula Newsome
as Ellen
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Dionne Lynn Nosek
as P.A.
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Michael Oppenheimer
as Maitre D'
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Susan Philpot
as Librarian
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Joyce Hiller Piven
as Joan
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Greg Sobieski
as 2nd Bartender
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James Spinks
as 1st Bartender
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Mary Ann Thebus
as Waitress
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Ray Toler
as Man at Strip Joint
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Becky Wahlstrom
as 3rd Girl
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Tom Webb
as Newscaster
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Alan Wilder
as Snake Man
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Michael Jeffrey Woods
as Photographer
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Barnet Kellman
as Director
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Peter Sova
as Cabbie
- Barbara Cohen
- Mary Gail Artz
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Jack Walsh
as Guard