Straight Talk

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Straight Talk

PG

Released Apr 3, 1992

1h 31m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

46%

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13 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Leaving her rural life in Arkansas, Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) moves to Chicago and seeks employment at a radio station. When a mix-up finds Shirlee sitting in as the host on a show for call-in advice, her common-sense wisdom wins over fans. Soon she's "Doctor Shirlee," an in-demand on-air personality, but, of course, she's lacking in the proper credentials, a fact that journalist Jack Russell (James Woods) already suspects. Will Shirlee be able to keep her new gig if the truth gets out?

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Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

What's really wrong with Straight Talk is a failure of nerve. The screenplay is so painfully conventional that it's clear nobody involved with the movie wanted to push it into new ground or let it take chances.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

Despite the enjoyable Chicago scenery, the on air confessions, break ups, make ups, and horns honking finale are seriously predictable, but thankfully, this remains a cute charmer with a little something to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Jul 25, 2023

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Cute little romcom with the always likable Dolly Parton

Aug 25, 2020

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Vanessa Letts

The Spectator

Listening to all her callers didn't do the trick for me. I left the cinema feeling more depressed than ever.

Jul 25, 2018

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an agreeable yet hopelessly forgettable little romcom.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 17, 2015

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Julian S

Forgettable flick, but Dolly and her tunes make it worth a watch.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Audience Member

Empathy for Our working class Strugles No "Clinton" deplorables Is the reporter going to destroy dolly it really looks like it with his treachery Every bodys characater is developed even the x husband no cheap shots unfortuneley Big CE0 is tottaly understanding which neeveear happens in real life . but otherwise it/s a fiver love dollys delivery ps best documentry XYChelsea betcha can't watch ten minutes and turan it off thanks Orion the elder

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

Great, uplifting movie!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/19

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Audience Member

Totally formulaic romcom. There is really nothing new to see here. But it's entertaining enough, and Dolly is adorable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/19

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Audience Member

Everybody needs saving. A simple small town girl arrives in the big city of Chicago with little going for her other than her good looks and big mouth. A man recognizes her talent and sticks her on the radio as the next big thing. He falls in love with her, but the simple girl stays in her lane and becomes bigger than her wildest imagination. The fame may be a gift and a curse. "I'm really more of a lover than fighter." "I can see that." Barnet Kellman, director of Key Exchange, and episodes from the television series Designing Women, Mad About You, ER, Murphy Brown, and Ally McBeal, delivers Straight Talk. The storyline for this picture is very blah, 80s cliché (despite being a 90s film), and has mediocre writing. The cast delivers below par performances and includes Dolly Parton, James Woods, Michael Madsen, Teri Hatcher, Griffin Dunne, and John Sayles. "Tinkle or get off the potty." I recently came across this on Showtime Anytime and decided to randomly give it a viewing. This is okay, and fun to watch Dolly in her element; but the love story with her and James Woods was not believable and felt awkward. Overall, this is a below average romantic comedy that I wouldn't go too out of my way to see. "I just tell the truth and the truth as I see it." Grade: C-

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

dolly is gr8 in this rom-com

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Barnet Kellman

Director

Dolly Parton

Shirlee Kenyon

James Woods

Jack Russell

Griffin Dunne

Alan Riegert

Michael Madsen

Steve

Deirdre O'Connell

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Synopsis

Leaving her rural life in Arkansas, Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) moves to Chicago and seeks employment at a radio station. When a mix-up finds Shirlee sitting in as the host on a show for call-in advice, her common-sense wisdom wins over fans. Soon she's "Doctor Shirlee," an in-demand on-air personality, but, of course, she's lacking in the proper credentials, a fact that journalist Jack Russell (James Woods) already suspects. Will Shirlee be able to keep her new gig if the truth gets out?

Director: Barnet Kellman
Producer: Robert Chartoff, Fred Berner
Screenwriter: Craig Bolotin, Patricia Resnick
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1, Sandollar Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.1M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, Stereo

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