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Urban Cowboy (1980)

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Movie Info

"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

PG, 2 hr. 15 min.

Drama

Oct 8, 2002

Cast

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (3) | DVD (8)

Travolta & Winger sizzle

March 16, 2007 Comment

Pop-culture time capsule dominated by Winger's breakthrough performance.

April 7, 2006 Comment
Las Vegas Review-Journal

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.

July 6, 2005 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

A versatile, intriguing Travolta vehicle

March 11, 2005 Comment
Moviehole

Ultimately it's enjoyable Hollywood stuff.

July 4, 2004 Comment

Urban Cowboy zeroes in the the desperate night life of frustrated individuals who find neither adventure nor fulfillment in their daytime existences.

January 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | Comment
Spirituality and Practice

Movies that just create silly fads are destined to linger long after their gimmicks have become jokes.

August 16, 2003 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment (1)
Apollo Guide

Flashy and silly; tries to be a country-Western "Saturday Night Fever," but misses the mark.

January 19, 2003 Comment
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

"aside from Winger, this soap opera is utterly dismal"

July 29, 2002 Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Urban Cowboy

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.

October 15, 2009
stormyweather980

Super Reviewer

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

January 6, 2009
flixsterman
Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

    1. Bud Davis: Shit, McDonald's again?
    – Submitted by Paul E (21 days ago)
    1. Wes: Pick that shit up!
    – Submitted by Paul E (21 days ago)
    1. Aunt Corene: Damn Bud, Ya'll live like pigs!
    – Submitted by Timothy A (5 months ago)

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