Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994)
Average Rating: 3.2/10
Reviews Counted: 18
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 14
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 4
liked it
Average Rating: 2.5/5
User Ratings: 5,997
My Rating
Movie Info
Writer/director Gus Van Sant's early bid for big-time commercial success -- a success he didn't manage to achieve until Good Will Hunting -- is based on Tom Robbins' 1976 feminist bestseller. Uma Thurman plays Sissy Hankshaw, a woman born with very large thumbs. After her parents (Grace Zabriskie and Ken Kesey) take her to a doctor (Buck Henry), who offers her parents no remedy for their daughter's condition, the film races ahead to the 1970s. Sissy is now a popular feminine hygiene spray model
May 20, 1994 Wide
Nov 2, 2004
Fine Line Features
Cast
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Uma Thurman
Sissy Hankshaw -
John Hurt
The Countess -
Rain Phoenix
Bonanza Jellybean -
Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita
The Chink -
Lorraine Bracco
Delores Del Ruby -
Keanu Reeves
Julian -
Angie Dickinson
Miss Adrian -
Sean Young
Marie Barth -
Crispin Glover
Howard Barth -
Roseanne
Zoe -
Ed Begley Jr
Rupert -
William S. Burroughs
Himself -
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Wade Evans
Cameraman -
Heather Graham
Cowgirl Heather -
Scott Patrick Green
Pilgrim -
Eric Hull
White House Undersecret... -
Carol Kane
Carla -
Ken Kesey
Sissy's Daddy -
Udo Kier
Commercial Director -
Oliver Kirk
Sheriff -
River Phoenix
Pilgrim (uncredited) -
Tom Robbins
Narrator -
Lin Shaye
Rubber Rose Maid -
Victoria Williams
Cowgirl Debbie -
Grace Zabriskie
Mrs Hankshaw -
Buck Henry
Dr. Dreyfus -
Michael Parker
Pilgrim Driver -
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All Critics (23) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (14) | DVD (6)
There are just too many half-cooked ingredients in this utopian stew of a movie.
Despite a promising start, Cowgirls is one of the most boring movies of all time, a ridiculous stew of mysticism, flat satire, and whimsy.
Arguably Van Sant's weakest film, this adaptation of Tom Robbins's feminist anarchic manifesto is poorly conceived, directed, and acted.
One of the most unwatchable disasters of the '80s
I thought this was okay. I'm very embarrassed by that.
Not as bad as claimed, but not very good either.
Audience Reviews for Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Super Reviewer
This movie does suck..a lot. But it does have some interesting and quirky performances. However, all the absurdity in the world can't make up for the fact that this story and script are muddled, incoherent, and a rambling, random mess. I'm sure everyone had fun making this film, and I do appreciate nuttiness, but c'mon, what the hell even happens in this movie?
I like the idea of a nice hippie with freaky oversized thumbs hitchhiking her way across the country. The idea of a bunch of raunchy cowgirls on a ranch is cool too. None of this comes together and really gels though. I like the cast. They are a large and diverse group of interesting characters. However, not all of the performances are all that great, and many of the characters are just goofy, shallow caricatures with little to no development. That said, they all try to put out a bit of effort at the very least. I do like John Hurt, though. In fact, he may be the highlight. He's a scream to watch run around in drag being flamboyant. This is probably one of his more brave, interesting, and eyebrow raising roles.
I think a good way to describe this mostly, but not quite irredeemable failure is that it is kind of like a light and slightly sanitized version of a John Waters film..maybe. It's probably best as a campy cult classic midnight movie. I've never heard it get that status though. Everyone instead just seems to hate it. As camp, it is sometimes fun, but somehow this manages to be boring, even during some of the odder and more absurd moments.
So yeah, this isn't a complete waste, but it is close.
Super Reviewer
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