Urban Cowboy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A country boy moves to the city, finds love, gets thrown off a mechanical bull, and punches his way back to happiness in a giant honky-tonk.

🍿 Urban Cowboy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Bud’s Arrival in Houston

Bud Davis, a young man from rural Texas, relocates to Houston to work in the oil refineries. He seeks a better life and new opportunities. He moves in with his Uncle Bob and Aunt Corene. Uncle Bob introduces Bud to the vibrant nightlife at Gilley’s, a massive honky-tonk bar.

Love and Marriage

At Gilley’s, Bud meets Sissy, a spirited and independent woman. They quickly fall in love and impulsively marry, moving into a new trailer. However, their differing views on traditional gender roles cause friction. Sissy desires independence, while Bud expects her to adhere to traditional wifely duties.

Rising Tensions and Infidelity

The couple’s relationship is tested by jealousy and differing desires. Bud becomes fixated on riding Gilley’s mechanical bull. Sissy defies him and learns to ride as well, attracting the attention of Wes Hightower, an ex-convict. Bud’s jealousy leads to a physical altercation with Sissy, resulting in their separation. Bud seeks solace with Pam, a wealthy woman, while Sissy moves in with Wes.

Tragedy and the Bull Riding Contest

Bud trains for Gilley’s mechanical bull riding contest, seeking to prove himself. Uncle Bob advises Bud to reconcile with Sissy. Meanwhile, Sissy discovers Wes’s abusive nature and desires to return to Bud. Uncle Bob dies in a refinery explosion. At the funeral, they talk and Sissy makes the move to let Bud know she is again available.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bud Davis (John Travolta): A country boy who moves to Houston and learns about love and life while working in the oil industry and frequenting Gilley’s.
• Sissy (Debra Winger): A feisty and independent cowgirl who marries Bud but struggles with traditional gender roles and her own desires.
• Wes Hightower (Scott Glenn): An ex-convict and rodeo rider who works at Gilley’s and becomes a rival to Bud, both romantically and competitively.
• Pam (Madolyn Smith Osborne): A wealthy woman who is drawn to Bud and represents a different lifestyle than Sissy and the world of Gilley’s.
• Bob Davis (Barry Corbin): Bud’s uncle who helps him get a job and offers advice about life and love, representing a more traditional outlook.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Uncle Bob: “You know Bud; sometimes even a cowboy’s gotta swallow his pride to hold on to somebody he loves.” – Uncle Bob imparts wisdom to Bud, suggesting that pride can hinder relationships and sometimes humility is necessary to preserve love.
• Uncle Bob: “Hell, I know, I pretty near lost Corene and the kids a couple of times just ’cause of pride. You know you think that ol’ pride’s gonna choke you going down, but I tell you what ain’t a night goes by I don’t thank the boss up there for giving me a big enough throat. ‘Cause without Corene and them kids, hell, I’d just be another pile of dog shit in the canteloupe patch just drawing flies.” – Uncle Bob shares a vivid metaphor about his own marital struggles and the importance of family.
• Bud: “Are you a real cowboy?” – Sissy’s opening question when she meets Bud, which sets the tone for their relationship.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $46,918,287
• Worldwide Gross: $46,918,287

💥 Urban Cowboy Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw Urban Cowboy with my parents, and I instantly loved the music and the dancing! Seeing John Travolta transition from disco to cowboy was a revelation. The mechanical bull scenes were so exciting, and the romance between Bud and Sissy was both passionate and volatile. The soundtrack became an instant favorite. I remember trying to learn the two-step, inspired by the dance scenes in Gilley’s. Even though it’s a bit dated now, it is still a fun movie to watch and takes me back to a simpler time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Travolta and Debra Winger”
  • “Those interested in 1980s Americana and country music”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic dramas with a touch of conflict”
  • “People fascinated by the urban cowboy subculture”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of domestic violence”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Mature themes related to marriage and infidelity”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A gritty, realistic portrayal of working-class life in Texas, buoyed by strong performances from Travolta and Winger. Captures the energy and cultural zeitgeist of the era.
• RogerEbert.com: “Urban Cowboy is a product of its time, glorifying the honky-tonk culture while glossing over darker themes. Travolta is surprisingly believable as a Texan.
• The New York Times: “Ultimately feels like a shallow attempt to capitalize on the success of Saturday Night Fever, but with cowboys. The characters are cartoonish, and the plot is predictable.

Audience Reactions

The soundtrack is amazing and makes you want to dance.: The vibrant honky-tonk atmosphere and the iconic music left a lasting impression on viewers.

Travolta and Winger’s chemistry is undeniable.: The performances of the lead actors are praised for their authenticity and raw emotion.

Overall Consensus: A culturally significant film capturing the zeitgeist of the urban cowboy era, with a great soundtrack and memorable performances, though some find the plot predictable and the characters flawed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie significantly boosted the popularity of country music and the ‘urban cowboy’ lifestyle, leading to a surge in mechanical bull installations in bars across the United States.”
• “Mickey Gilley’s real-life nightclub, Gilley’s, served as a primary filming location, contributing to the film’s authenticity and drawing crowds to the establishment.”
• “Several country music artists, including Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, and Bonnie Raitt, made appearances in the film, further enhancing its connection to the country music scene.”
• “The film’s initial box-office returns were surprisingly low, partially because teenagers didn’t understand the word ‘Urban’.”
• “The mechanical bull used in the movie was named ‘El Toro’.”
• “Some scenes were filmed in a trailer park in Pico Rivera, California, and the hills are the San Gabriel Mountains.”
• “The conversation that Bud has with Uncle Bob right before Bud shaves off his beard was cut for the VHS release.”

🖥️ How to Watch Urban Cowboy?

Urban Cowboy is available to rent or buy on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable options that may offer the film on demand. For physical media collectors, DVD and Blu-ray versions can be purchased from online retailers and local stores. Consider supporting your local video store!

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Urban Cowboy, you might like these similar films:

• Saturday Night Fever (1977): Also starring John Travolta, this film explores similar themes of finding identity and escape through a subculture (disco vs. urban cowboy).
• Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980): This biopic about Loretta Lynn shares the country music backdrop and explores the challenges of marriage and career within that world.
• 8 Seconds (1994): A more modern take on the rodeo circuit, focusing on the life and career of Lane Frost, a champion bull rider.
• Smokey and the Bandit (1977): This action-comedy offers a fun, escapist look at Southern culture and features a memorable soundtrack.

🛒 Urban Cowboy Related Products

• Urban Cowboy [Blu-ray]: Experience the film in stunning high definition with enhanced picture and sound quality, perfect for movie enthusiasts and collectors.
• Urban Cowboy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Own the iconic soundtrack featuring country hits by Johnny Lee, Anne Murray, and more. A perfect addition to any country music lover’s collection.
• Gilley’s Honky-Tonk T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring the iconic Gilley’s logo. Made from high-quality cotton for a comfortable fit.
• Mechanical Bull Riding Game: Test your bull-riding skills with this exciting mechanical bull game, inspired by the movie. Compete with friends and family to see who can stay on the longest.

🎧 Soundtrack

Urban Cowboy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Looking for Love” – performed by Johnny Lee
• “Could I Have This Dance” – performed by Anne Murray
• “Devil Went Down to Georgia” – performed by The Charlie Daniels Band
• “Lyin’ Eyes” – performed by Eagles
• “Stand By Me” – performed by Mickey Gilley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Debra Winger’s Sexual Tension With Co-Star John Travolta | WWHL

Ever wonder if there was real chemistry between Debra Winger and John Travolta in Urban Cowboy? Debra spills the tea about the ‘sexual tension’ on set, and honestly, it makes you see the movie in a whole new light!

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