Urban Cowboy

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  • PG
  • 1980
  • 2 hr 12 min
  • 6.4  (16,386)
  • 61

Urban Cowboy is a romantic drama film released in 1980, directed by James Bridges and starring John Travolta, Debra Winger, and Scott Glenn. The movie's plot revolves around Bud Davis (John Travolta), a young, naive cowboy from a rural town in Texas who moves to Houston to work at an oil refinery. Shortly after his arrival, he meets a free-spirited cowgirl named Sissy (Debra Winger) at the Gilley's bar, which serves as a popular hangout for the city's blue-collar crowd.

Bud and Sissy soon become romantically involved, but their relationship is tested when Bud's love for rodeo clashes with Sissy's desire to stay in Houston and start a family. The two struggle to reconcile their differences, facing obstacles including jealousy and infidelity, a tumultuous marriage, and conflicts with their friends and families.

As Bud's passion for the rodeo grows, he becomes increasingly drawn to the dangerous and seductive world of bull riding. He begins to idolize the charismatic local bullrider, Wes Hightower (Scott Glenn), who becomes a mentor to him.

Urban Cowboy explores themes of love, loyalty, and masculinity in a rapidly-changing and urbanizing America. It portrays a raw and realistic view of life in Houston in the late 1970s, with a focus on the city's working-class population and their struggles to adapt to the changes brought on by modernization.

The performances by Travolta, Winger, and Glenn are all impressive, with Travolta demonstrating his versatility as an actor by convincingly portraying a small-town cowboy in contrast to his previous roles in Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Winger complements him perfectly as the feisty and headstrong Sissy, bringing a believability to their passionate and sometimes turbulent relationship. Scott Glenn is excellent as the rugged, charismatic bullrider who captures Bud's attention and admiration.

The film's most celebrated aspect is its music, featuring a soundtrack of country and western songs by well-known artists such as Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, and Charlie Daniels. The soundtrack became a best-selling album, and the popularity of the movie contributed to the resurgence of country music in the 1980s.

Urban Cowboy is a must-see classic for fans of John Travolta or country music, and for anyone interested in the changing cultural landscape of America in the late 1970s. Its gritty realism and compelling characters make it a standout film of its time, and its themes still resonate today.

In summary, Urban Cowboy is a romantic drama that explores the lives of two young cowboys struggling to adapt to modern life in Houston, Texas. It showcases impressive performances by John Travolta, Debra Winger, and Scott Glenn and features a celebrated country music soundtrack. Its themes of love, loyalty, and masculinity continue to resonate with audiences today.

Urban Cowboy is a 1980 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 61.

Urban Cowboy
Description
Where to Watch Urban Cowboy
Urban Cowboy is available to watch free on Pluto TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at The Roku Channel, Sling, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Urban Cowboy for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1980
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    2 hr 12 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (16,386)
  • Metascore
    61
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