Urban Cowboy

I think that Urban Cowboy is the kind of film where I have to put away my liberal, New England ideology to sit back and enjoy a movie about mid-country bull-riders and macho John Travolta. I dindn't particularly hate it, but besides some fun scenes and an impressive soundtrack, Urban Cowboy is a little better than forgettable.

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. You just have to like the idea of a bunch of yokels in a shit kicking town getting together to do stupid stuff like ride on a mechanical bull to see who is the biggest macho man around. Travolta is pretty campy in this but in a good way.

Bridges' usual love for his characters is not communicated to the viewer here (at least this one). For all his immaturity, Tony Manero had a nerve & drive & smidgen of self-awareness that endeared you to his quest. Travolta's character in this is one of the most aggravating little shits to ever head a romance. And not in any interesting way--it's still utterly conventional, we're just supposed to cheer that Sissy ends up with the guy who abused her to a slightly lesser degree than the other.

B+

I bet there won't be another mechanical bull scene. Oh my god... Urban Cowboy is a film filled with machismo, Lone Star beer, and stone cold stares. Travolta essentially recreates his character from Saturday Night Fever with his hard edges and tough lessons on the way to adulthood. The coming of age tale is true enough to be intriguing. Unfortunately, I can't help but think that the soul of the film is more concerned with bull riding and depicting a bunch of good ol' boys.

Remember liking it, should rewatch.

It has stick on itself - boring!!!