Urban Cowboy

PG

Released Jun 6, 1980

2h 15m

Drama

List

70%

23 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis (John Travolta) starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy (Debra Winger), a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival, Wes (Scott Glenn), leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.

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Jennifer H

This movie would never be considered a nominee for Best Picture from the Academy. However it has such a feel good inspiration with a really great tribute to the 80's- When the cowboy look was in fashion and as always John Travolta ruled our hearts and the dance floor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

Rachael B

The overall plot felt predictable, characters were shallow, but the dancing and mechanical bull stunts stole the shoe exactly as they were intended to. Much of the middle of the movie felt dragged out and unnecessary.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/23

Full Review

Blobbo X

Lived down to Blobbo expectations. Way too long, too.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

still remembered as one of John Travolta's earliest comebacks Bud Davis played by Travolta is an urban cowboy raised in the countryside but works in the big city of Houston in the oil industry he goes to a bar called Gilley's Club complete with a bull riding attraction and meets a woman named Sissy played by Debra Winger instantly they have an attraction towards one another but when she decides to take an interest in the bull riding Bud won't allow it because she's a woman there's also a rival in the form of Scott Glenn testing Bud's patience and unwanted attention towards his wife Bud then gets injured on the job and it seems that Sissy has had enough of his temper next to his old gender norms the movie shows how good Travolta can be given the right material, Winger plays terrific opposite as the love interest wanting her own ambitions, this soundtrack is soft fitting the cowboy setting, and shows how even a cowboy has to learn to swallow his pride in order to still keep what he loves most the last 15 min maybe could've been shaved off and they did squeeze a bit too much near the climax but the movie is still proof Travolta has the acting chops for drama and romance this was also the movie that set the stage for the Western and country fad in cinema and the music industry 'Saturday Night Fever' is better in many respects but this is still a good staple on Travolta and Winger's resumes

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/10/23

Full Review

Skull E

It's a good John Travolta classic. Great soundtrack, decent plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

Full Review

Miguel Angel S

Una historia simple que jamás pasara de moda, una fotografía admirable y una musical insupurable

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/22

Full Review

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James Bridges

Director

John Travolta

Bud

Debra Winger

Sissy Davis

Scott Glenn

Wes Hightower

Madolyn Smith Osborne

Pam

Barry Corbin

Bob Davis

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Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - A Sexy Sissy Ride

2:13

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - A Wedding at Gilley's

0:44

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - I Love You, Sissy

1:58

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - Swaller Pride

2:12

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - Hitching a Ride

2:08

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - We're Going Home

1:48

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - Gilley's Rodeo Competition

2:12

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - Sissy Rides the Bull

2:12

Urban Cowboy: Official Clip - We Live Like Pigs

2:13

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

At no time is Urban Cowboy especially well-directed.

Aug 12, 2022

Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

As in Saturday Night Fever and Grease, [Travolta] plays a blustery, not-too-bright, young man with an electric personality that is fascinating to watch.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

Glenn's Wes is the only intriguing one. He's the only real cowboy in a film that's in no way capable of handling him.

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

In short, the fact that all three central characters are fallible is unique as it makes the characters less archetypes and more human.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 3, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Travolta is fine, but Winger and Glenn are the ones who truly add fire to the film.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 14, 2020

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Just how his camera lingers on Travolta gives new meaning to the notion of the gay gaze...

Rated: B-

Jun 10, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis (John Travolta) starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy (Debra Winger), a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival, Wes (Scott Glenn), leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.

Director: James Bridges
Producer: C.O. Erickson
Screenwriter: Aaron Latham, James Bridges
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Robert Evans Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 15m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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