Urban Cowboy (1980)

77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(31,328 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 becomes… 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: James Bridges
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 6, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Oct 8, 2002

Critic Reviews

Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Travolta & Winger sizzle
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Pop-culture time capsule dominated by Winger's breakthrough performance.
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.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A versatile, intriguing Travolta vehicle
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Ultimately it's enjoyable Hollywood stuff.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Urban Cowboy zeroes in the the desperate night life of frustrated individuals who find neither adventure nor fulfillment in their daytime existences.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Movies that just create silly fads are destined to linger long after their gimmicks have become jokes.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Flashy and silly; tries to be a country-Western "Saturday Night Fever," but misses the mark.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
"aside from Winger, this soap opera is utterly dismal"

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

A pleasant surprise. I'd read that this was one of the most popular movies from my birth year, so I watched it and immediately said it was one of the best movies I'd ever seen.
Randy T

Another box office hit that has not withstood the ravages of time. What was once hip now seems dated and cliche'.
Cassie H

Very good John Travolta movie. I LOVED IT!!!
Leigh R

It was alright.
Lanning :

Winger, like Sean Young, seems to have a negative rep in Hollywood. I hope that isn't true, and if it is, I wish they would get beyond whatever it is that makes them act in whatever way it is that upsets folks around them so much. They both deserve exposure to parts that would… More
Winger, like Sean Young, seems to have a negative rep in Hollywood. I hope that isn't true, and if it is, I wish they would get beyond whatever it is that makes them act in whatever way it is that upsets folks around them so much. They both deserve exposure to parts that would alllow them to shine. All that being said, I have another thing that makes me very curious, flixsters. Is there any movie where Travolta doesn't dance? Maybe Blowout? Have to watch that again. Dancing is kind of like his signature, right? And good acting, to be sure. Travolta is another one of those actors who, for me, can do no wrong--no matter how bad the movie overall. If he moves into directing, and if he's as good at it as Eastwood, then he'd move into my top drawer of all-around talented people. This movie is a must-see for any Travolta fan. Not to mention a country music soundtrack for the ages.
James A

I want to give him a hug.
Joseph E

The title explains easily, why this film is pretty bad.
Erin C

I loved this movie. Great story, music, and acting. Travolta is so hot!
Jonny C

Good early performance by Travolta. He trades the disco for a good old fashioned Honkey tonk bar. Fans of Travolta won't be disappointed.
Leo L

Personal favorite. A movie from my childhood.
Lee K

i love travolta inj pretty much anything he's done past or present but this one stands out, filmed in the now torn down gilley,s which at one time was named the worlds longest bar!
Moe E

Vinnie Barbarino as a Texas cowboy...huh? I actually enjoyed this much more than both Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

Cast

            John Travolta as Bud Davis

            Debra Winger as Sissy

            Scott Glenn as Wes

            Madolyn Smith Osborne as Pam

            Barry Corbin as Uncle Bob

            Brooke Alderson as Aunt Corene

            Bonnie Raitt as Musical Appearance

            Cooper Huckabee as Marshall

            James Gammon as Steve Strange

            Mickey Gilley as Musical Appearance

            Johnny Lee as Musical Appearance

            Charlie Daniels as Musical Appearance

            Sheryl Briedel as Lou Sue Bud's Cousin

            Steve Chambers as Truck Driver in Parking Lot

            Keith Clemons as Bud's Brother

            Gator Conley as Gator

            Ed Geldart as Bud's Dad

            Leah Geldart as Bud's Sister

            Jim Gough as Sissy's Dad

            James N. Harrell as Minister at Gravesite

            Sean Lawler as Willie Bud's Cousin

            Betty Murphy as Bud's Mom

            Howard Norman as Bud's Brother

            David Ogle as Killer

            Ann Travolta as Wedding Party

            Jerry Hall as Sexy Sister

            Anson Downes as Wedding Party

            Lucky Mosley as Plant Supervisor

            Robert Bush as Dwight

            Ellen March as Becky (Stoney's Waitress)

            Christopher Saylors as Bubba
See full cast