Urban Cowboy (1980)
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77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(32,110 ratings)
"You a real cowboy?" John Travolta traded disco for a mechanical bull in this adaptation by James Bridges and Aaron Latham of Latham's article on Western nightlife. Texas country boy Bud (Travolta) moves to Houston to work on an oil rig with his Uncle Bob (Barry Corbin), and he swiftly… More "You a real cowboy?" John Travolta traded disco for a mechanical bull in this adaptation by James Bridges and Aaron Latham of Latham's article on Western nightlife. Texas country boy Bud (Travolta) moves to Houston to work on an oil rig with his Uncle Bob (Barry Corbin), and he swiftly becomes indoctrinated in the nighttime rituals of drinking, dancing, and showing off cowboy duds at Gilley's, the enormous local honkytonk. There he meets and marries the sassy Sissy (Debra Winger), but the honeymoon quickly ends when Sissy starts spending too much time learning the men-only skill of mechanical bull-riding from ex-con Wes (Scott Glenn); Bud throws her out and hooks up with slumming Pam (Madolyn Smith). Under the paternal tutelage of Uncle Bob, Bud then learns not only how to master the bull but also what it takes to be a real man rather than just an ersatz cowboy. With a story, cast, and setting that were essentially Saturday Night Fever country-style, Urban Cowboy was poised to be a summer 1980 hit. Although its box office did not live up to Fever's legacy, Urban Cowboy did spawn a soundtrack album of country-and-western hits and helped spur a Western fashion vogue; people from all regions began sporting cowboy boots, and mechanical bulls started replacing passé disco floors. The first of Travolta's many comebacks, Urban Cowboy provided the star with a more "manly" image after his Moment by Moment (1978) fiasco, but it was neophyte co-star Winger who got even better notices. With its Western milieu and retro view of relationships, Urban Cowboy stands as a sign of the nascent Reagan era, as '70s icon Travolta learned bull-riding himself and replaced his white polyester with a black Stetson. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Bridges
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jun 6, 1980 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Travolta & Winger sizzle
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Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Pop-culture time capsule dominated by Winger's breakthrough performance.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
At their prime, John Travolta and Debra Winger make for a very sexy married couple in this James Bridges' musical drama, which launched the country and Western fad in music and film.
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
A versatile, intriguing Travolta vehicle
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Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Ultimately it's enjoyable Hollywood stuff.
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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John Travolta
as Bud Davis
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Debra Winger
as Sissy
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Scott Glenn
as Wes
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Madolyn Smith Osborne
as Pam
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Barry Corbin
as Uncle Bob
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Brooke Alderson
as Aunt Corene
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Bonnie Raitt
as Musical Appearance
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Cooper Huckabee
as Marshall
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James Gammon
as Steve Strange
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Mickey Gilley
as Musical Appearance
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Johnny Lee
as Musical Appearance
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Charlie Daniels
as Musical Appearance
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Sheryl Briedel
as Lou Sue Bud's Cousin
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Steve Chambers
as Truck Driver in Parking Lot
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Keith Clemons
as Bud's Brother
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Gator Conley
as Gator
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Ed Geldart
as Bud's Dad
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Leah Geldart
as Bud's Sister
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Jim Gough
as Sissy's Dad
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James N. Harrell
as Minister at Gravesite
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Sean Lawler
as Willie Bud's Cousin
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Betty Murphy
as Bud's Mom
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Howard Norman
as Bud's Brother
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David Ogle
as Killer
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Ann Travolta
as Wedding Party
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Jerry Hall
as Sexy Sister
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Anson Downes
as Wedding Party
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Lucky Mosley
as Plant Supervisor
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Robert Bush
as Dwight
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Ellen March
as Becky (Stoney's Waitress)
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Christopher Saylors
as Bubba
