User Reviews

Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) leaves her small town and deadbeat boyfriend (Michael Madsen!) for the big city (Chicago). She loves giving advice to people. She accidentally gets on the radio one day and starts giving callers her honest, kind advice about their love lives and such. She is immediately a hit (just like real life huh?) and becomes wildly popular. Investigative reporter Jack Russell (James Woods--yes THAT James Woods) starts looking into her past and slowly starts to fall in love.

The story is ridiculous and familiar at the same time but I DID like this movie. Parton's charm and acting (I think she's good) carry this film through its rough spots. The story moves quickly and (if you don't think about it TOO much) it's actually not too bad. Also Parton sings a few nice (if unmemorable) songs. The title track was supposed to be a hit but didn't make it. The only negative thing about this is Woods. Now, he's a great actor but casting him as a romantic lead just doesn't work. He's uncharacteristically frantic and seems uncomfortable. Still he does try. Casting Madsen as Parton's boyfriend was another bad choice. Look for a young Teri Hatcher at the beginning before she hit it big with "Lois and Clark".

I was one of the few people to see this in a theatre. There was virtually no advertising and the movie disappeared quickly. The studio dumped it completely...but it's not THAT bad. If you hate Parton steer clear of this. But, if you like her, you'll get a kick out of this. I give this a 7.

A simple and inspiring movie. Dolly Parton's performance was outstanding!!! Got a little choked up at the end. A great movie when you want something inspiring and touching. A pure entertainment kind of deal. Disagree with Ebert's criticism that the movie is not representative of the radio or journalism business as I really don't care; i didn't watch the movie to be informed or educated about either of these businesses.

An unlikely pair of actors, James Woods and Dolly Parton prove to be well cast, and their performances raise the level of the movie above the limits of the script. Woods is always good, but Dolly Parton is remarkable. Why don't we have more movies with her? This woman is so talented it breaks your heart.

Woods is the kind of brainy actor who has worked with so many prestige directors, it only raises my esteem for him that he took on this assignment with Parton. I'd like to believe he recognized the value of Dolly's screen persona and wanted to share in the light she brings to every project.

I was thinking that James Woods is the only actor to star opposite both Dolly Parton and Sharon Stone (well, there is one other brand name actor who's done that -- know who?).

My hope is that some day Dolly gets re-discovered through a Sundance project. Or maybe Quentin Tarantino will decide to film a ketchup-free love story and give Dolly the break she deserves. Hey, QT, you were born in Tennessee, right? Give Dolly a call...

Dolly starts out working at a dance hall but gets fired by her boss (played by John Sayles) and is sick of her abusive boyfriend (Michael Madsen) so she leaves for Chicago with his bowling ball.

Through a highly improbable set of circumstances, she becomes a radio 'therapist'; it comes easy to her since she's thoughtful, has common sense and some down-home charm. Soon she has a national following as 'Dr. Shirley.'

Soon she has James Woods' reporter following her around. He smells a story and thinks she might be a fake but cannot prove it. He also falls for her.

Comedy is supplied by Griffin Dunne's maniac/radio station exec, a very funny scene with Dr. Shirley on a talk show, and the chemistry between James Woods & Dolly Parton, two actors you might not think of in the same galaxy but who work together very well.

Small movie has a lot going for it. 7/10.

There's something about this movie that keeps bringing you back for more. I bought the video used for about three bucks (the price is why I bought it!) and was pleasantly surprised. And watch it again and again and again. I notice other viewers who have done the same and can't help but wonder what it is. I have even seen lines from this movie quoted in magazines (attributed to Dolly rather than the script writer)!

There are some gaping goofs, of course. Suddenly "Jack" says "you probably think you just heard a doorbell", although no doorbell has rung at all (maybe they fixed that in later releases)! Also, nobody but Shirlee and her boss "Alan" is supposed to know that she is not a doctor despite the fact that the receptionist took her resume filled with occupations such as "bartender, waitress, waitress, dance instructor..." There are others. But even so, you keep coming back for more.

A few of the one-liner bit parts have awful acting skills, but even so.

So, what is it about this movie? Maybe it's the sound track. I hate C/ W but the all-Dolly soundtrack is wonderful and her songs fit each situation as if it were a musical. Also, Dolly is a very believable actress despite the very unbelievable situation. Believing Dolly is a shrink is like believing Whoopi is a nun. You know it's ludicrous, but they somehow get you to accept it and enjoy. You want to believe it!

Some of her advice is like Zen, for example the one about women and corn flakes: you just don't get it. There is a lot you just don't get in this movie. But you still love it. That's a lot like loving a person, I guess.

Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton) loses her job for talking too much with the dance students. She loves giving advice. She is tired of her small town and her dismissive unemployed boyfriend Steve (Michael Madsen). She packs up for Chicago. She's trying to retrieve $20 she dropped on a bridge when reporter Jack Russell (James Woods) mistakenly jumps in to save her thinking she's trying to jump. She gives Janice (Teri Hatcher) advice which she uses to break up with boyfriend Jack Russell. Next, Shirlee gets a radio station receptionist job. She is mistaken for the new radio talk show doctor that manager Alan Riegert (Griffin Dunne) had hired. Riegert fires both Shirlee and the producer. Her small town charm makes her a big success and Riegert has to rehire her but only if she pretends to be a doctor which the owner demanded.

The story is a bit hokey but Dolly Parton has that sweet aw-shucks personality. It works for her. It has her down home charms. The movie has some light fun. It doesn't have big laughs but it's a sweet rom-com.

I was an extra in this movie........would never do it again, although I'm not sorry I did it........Dolly Parton was so neat to all of us, much more than the "lesser" actors in the piece. Received $50 for standing in the rain without a rain coat, over a 12 hour period! You can see me jumping up and down in the scene (this was "acting" designed to show how interested I was in what was going on) where Amy Madigan confronts Dolly about advice given to her boyfriend. When we saw this film in the theatre my daughter and I completely broke up; of course no one else in the theatre could understand why these 2 fools were nearly rolling on the floor laughing.

This is a movie that does what it's supposed to do. Entertain! Forget the simple plot where a regular person (Dolly Parton) gets by with sheer charm and falls into a bed of roses with a few thorns along the way. An abusive boyfriend (Michael Madsen) a cantankerous city guy (James Woods) and a neurotic program director Griffin Dunne) with all kinds of great character actors like Philip Bosco, Jerry Orbach, Teri Hatcher and Charles Fleischer. Dolly is an instant success as a talk show host who really isn't a doctor in the city of Chicago after having left Arkansas behind. Yes, it's predictable but so is a ride to Disneyland and you still enjoy the ride on the roller coaster. Dolly is as charismatic as always and looks damn fine to boot, or maybe I should say she's "pertier than a basket of kittens at Christmas time." James Woods is as much fun as he always is in a movie and his roughness palys well against Dolly's folksiness. So buckle yourself in and enjoy the ride.

Shirlee (Parton) loses her job and breaks up with her boyfriend all in one day. She decides to start over in Chicago, but when she sets out to answer phones in a radio station, she's mistaken for the new advice guru, and she's a hit! While it turns out that her gift for giving advice is finally taking her places, the reporter who is investigating her wants to find out why she's qualified to give advice. If they can get past their fighting and annoying each other, they might just be perfect for each other.

This is one of my favorite Dolly movies. I love her early 90's outfits and her big hair, and she's so relatable as a girl trying to start over and get a life going for herself in Chicago. She's known for her witty bon mots and positive life philosophy from her various interviews, and here she is given free reign to express that part of her personality and it works. She's funny and kind, and down to earth.

This film has higher production values than some of her other films, and it shows as she's teamed up with a good script and other actors like Griffin Dunne, James Woods and Michael Madsen, amd more, who are all old hands. She gets to show off her comic timing and her characteristic warmth, and plays well against the more experienced performers. James Woods is great as the guy out for a story who learns what really matters when he meets Dolly's character Shirlee. I personally feel like he's a very unlikely romantic lead, not being conventionally attractive or warm, and yet you can believe he'd be a hard boiled Chicago reporter.

This film is warm and sweet, like home cooked apple pie. It's not particularly novel in it's approach to the rom com plot or genre, but it really hits the spot. It's heart warming and funny, and has enough going on to keep you interested, and Dolly's go-getter attitude and strong sense of self make her a more interesting romantic heroine than most. If you're a Dolly fan, this is one of her best.

See It If: you've ever wanted to break free and start over, or if you're the person all your friends go to for advice. A lovely, funny film with early 90's charm.

Advertised as a "date movie", this comedic vehicle for Dolly Parton is really full of chick-flick clichés, hopefully the last gasp for the Cinderella Specialty. Parton plays a country bumpkin named Shirlee who relocates from the sticks to Chicago, inadvertently landing a job as a talk-radio psychologist (when asked about her education, Shirlee tartly replies she graduated from "Screw U"). Corny, old-fashioned in the worst sense, and just plain stale. James Woods and Griffin Dunne are both highly inappropriate male leads for Dolly, whose natural effervescence is apparent but not utilized to any advantage. Parton also performs on the soundtrack, with the title cut being one of her very weakest songs. *1/2 from ****

Some might dismiss this as a "feel good" movie and indeed it is. But it's a lot of fun and a bright vehicle for the always delightful and vivacious (bodaceous?) Dolly Parton. Sure, the plot is predictable from the first scene. But there are a lot of laughs and good moments on the way to the trite happy ending. But the measure of a movie is whether you enjoy it and this is a wonderfully honest and enjoyable picture.

After a series of life changing events Shirlee Kenyon decides to seek her fortune elsewhere. She asks her common-in-law husband Steve to move with her. Not only does he turns her down but belittles her dreams. Shirlee is determined to leave. After failing to land something she answers an ad for a "dancer" after showing her moves she is then asked to do the same but without her top. She declines.

Shirlee then shows up for an receptionist job at a radio station. In a classic case of mistaken identity it is assumed she is new advice host. Thus begins the career of "DR" Shirlee Kenyon. She is on a panel with a touchy feely" phycologist. When asked a question he gives a puppies and rainbow answer indignant "DR" Shirlee answers in a way that would me DR Laura Ingram scamper under the table. The station people are appalled until they get the ratings (amazing how that works). At first she refuses but she changes her mind (amazing how a pay checque with lots of zeros after it can do that).

Her popularity of the "DR" Shirlee Show increases she draws the interest of a reporter John "Jack" Russell with whom she had an earlier when thanks to "DR" Shirlee his girlfriend drops him like a bad habit.

Trying to keep her secret Shirlee must face the music. However, what makes her show so popular is her no B.S. approach to problems.

The basic plot for "Straight Talk" could have been borrowed from any 1930's screwball comedy, but it's too bad the film makers do not seem to realize this. They simply rest the bulk of the film on Dolly Parton's shoulders and hope her goodwill and likability will carry the rest...it doesn't. Shirlee (Dolly Parton) is a bright, honest woman from a dying town in Arkansas. She becomes a national radio call-in show icon in the span of a couple of weeks. Shirlee leaves her loser live-in boyfriend, Steve (Michael Madsen) and moves to Chicago. She cannot find a job, until she is mistaken for a psychiatrist and put on the air live to take phone calls from people with problems. She is an instant hit, and reporter Jack (James Woods) begins looking into her background and falling in love with her at the same time.

Parton is good, and has tons of screen presence. However, the casting is so out of whack, the few scenes she is not in play like a Quentin Tarantino film, i.e. The bar scene between Woods and Madsen. Woods is miscast in a role that would have gone to Cary Grant back in the day. He tries to be light and funny, but he is still James Woods, and his performance comes off badly. Check out the rest of the supporting cast: Griffin Dunne, Teri Hatcher, Spalding Gray, Jerry Orbach, Charles Fleischer, Philip Bosco, Jay Thomas, and John Sayles. Just a couple of names stick out as comedic possible actors, yet they are all cast in this bit of fluff. Any fan of "WKRP in Cincinnati," will find the subplot of Shirlee's advice doing damage familiar. "Frasier" fans might also be a little bored with the "magic" of radio and call-in shows. The script is television level material, embarrassingly wrapped up at the end where everyone lives happily ever after and no one has a worry in the world. This may have worked with Doris Day and Cary Grant in the leads, but with Parton and Woods the denouement feels fake and forced. Take away the profanity peppered throughout, and a pointless scene about Shirlee losing her virginity, and "Straight Talk" might have worked if done in the spirit of "Down With Love." There have been tons of better radio themed films made over the years. "Straight Talk" suffers from old material performed by the wrong cast some thirty years too late. Time to touch that dial and turn it off.

Dolly Parton, James Woods, Griffin Dunne, and Michael Madsen star in this warm, funny, and terrific film. Dolly Parton stars as Shirlee Kenyon, a down-to-earth dance instructor who has just been fired. Then she decides to go to Chicago where she hopes to make it big. Soon she becomes Chicago's leading radio personality and everything starts going her way. Anybody who likes a funny movie should definitely watch this.

This is a really engaging story, but it's held back by some questionable casting. Dolly Parton is as completely winning as usual, but she remains a bit too "larger than life" for a regular everyday story. You love her and want the character to be happy just like you'd expect, but you can never forget it's Dolly Parton you're watching. A bigger problem than that, however, is the utterly miscast James Woods. He gives it a game try, but he just doesn't fit in this fluffy-light romantic comedy (paired with Dolly Parton!) any more than he would in a needlepoint class. It's bizarre enough to make one wonder whose goofy decision it was to cast him.

Dolly Parton leaves the country and heads out to the Big Apple, finding work at a radio station, much to the chagrin of James Woods' co-worker. A cheesy romance story ("I know the saying 'take your work to bed,' but I didn't think it was so literal!"), some OK jokes and a few fun performances make this film adequate viewing for a late night on Friday.

3/5 stars.

• John Ulmer

'Straight Talk' is a passable romantic-comedy, that has fairly entertaining moments. The Performances, especially by, James Woods, is Superb!

'Straight Talk' Synopsis: A woman ditches her small town life for big city Chicago, where she becomes a sensation as a radio show host.

'Straight Talk' is an Ideal Lazy Sunday-Afternoon Watch. It's one of those romantic-comedies that delivers fair entertainment. Craig Bolotin's Screenplay is decent, but it could've been tighter. Barnet Kellman's Direction, is above-average. Cinematography, Editng & Art Design, are functional.

Performance-Wise: As mentioned, Woods is superb & stands out, like always. Dolly Parton acts & sings well. Griffin Dunne is good. Michael Madsen has a bit role. Others lend support.

On the whole, 'Straight Talk' is passable.

I totally loved this movie. Dolly has been a favorite of mine ever seen I seen her in "9 To 5." She's just amazing. After watching this movie for the first time about two months ago I went out and bought a copy. I consider is a classic and will always love it. The movie alone is a role model.

RELEASED IN 1992 and directed by Barnet Kellman, "Straight Talk" is a fun drama about a wise, straight-talking rural woman (Dolly Parton) who lands a lucrative gig at a Chicago radio station as "Dr. Shirlee," who offers advice to troubled souls. A reporter (James Wood) finds her appealing, but also needs a big story, so digs up dirt on her. Griffin Dunne plays her boss at the station while Michael Madsen appears as her ex-beau. Charles Fleischer is also on hand.

This isn't really a romcom, at least not in the strictest definition (since the movie's generally realistic and any comedy in the story is low-key), but rather a light drama with elements of romance and a worthy moral. There's a moving scene in the last act that reveals Dolly's acting skills. Speaking of whom, Dolly shines throughout (not that I was ever a fan, which isn't to say I DON'T like her). She's fit and voluptuous but, most importantly, thoroughly winsome with a genuine smile. Woods is also effective as the male protagonist.

THE MOVIE RUNS 91 minutes and was shot in Chicago & Lemont, Illinois; South Pasadena, California; and Concord, Georgia. WRITER: Craig Bolotin & Patricia Resnick. ADDITIONAL CAST: Teri Hatcher & Jerry Orbach.

GRADE: B+/A-

There's a little of that in "Straight Talk," in which Dolly Parton becomes a radio psychologist by accident. But there's not enough, and the movie slides off into a sappy love story.

Parton plays a Southern woman with a bumpy marital record. He has married and divorced the same man three times, and has given up on matrimony altogether to live with a boyfriend (Michael Madsen) who is indifferent to her. One day she ups and goes. She gets into her car and heads north to the big city of Chicago, which has never looked more innocent and Capraesque than in this film. She checks into a fleabag hotel, goes looking for work, and talks herself into a position as a receptionist at a radio station. Parton's very appearance would stop traffic at any intersection, fleabag hotel or radio station in Chicago, but not in this movie, where she waltzes into the lives of strangers, handing out free advice that's common sense raised to the level of an art.

Through a misunderstanding at the radio station, she is mistaken for the newly hired advice personality, put on the air, and is an instant hit. The best scenes in the movie are the ones where the Parton character simply speaks her mind. Her advice is sound, earthy and blunt. She gives it on the air and off, and soon she's such a star that she can move out of the fleabag and into her own high-rise apartment. The rest of the movie is easily predictable, right down to the false crisis, the real crisis, the fight, the reconciliation, and the big romantic scene at the end. The movie isn't knowledgeable about radio stations or newspapers. It flirts with the problems of an advice personality who plays God, but doesn't deal with them. And the love affair between Parton and Woods isn't convincing because they never really seem to connect; each is such a unique, self-defined personality that we can't imagine them easily losing their hearts to anybody.

this is the best dolly parton movie ever.she is great in it along with james woods griffen dunne and teri hatcher.it tells the story of the woman who sent to go to chicago but got more.i loved this movie ever since it came out and i watched at least once a week.i give this movie two thumbs up.

As a fan of Dolly's who's grown tired of her over-the-top antics over the last few years, I find myself going back to this film to remind myself of why I liked her all those years ago. Underneath the outrageous clothes and makeup and the outrageous personality, I always felt there was someone a little more down to earth and sweeter than what we get on stage. Well, this movie keeps her out of those terrible clothes and keeps her mouth from going overboard and what comes across is a sweet, gentle, down-to-earth lady who gives the best acting performance of her career. There are times when the movie feels like more of a predictable made-for-TV film than a theatrical release, but there are times of comedy and drama and heartfelt emotions that make it a very sweet feel-good movie. Leaning more towards westerns and war movies, film noir and science fiction, I rarely find this sort of movie appealing. In this case, the entire cast, especially James Woods, does a fine job, and Dolly charms. Holy moley!

This film starring Dolly Parton and James Woods is a mostly comedy of the blossoming romance between the two.

The acting is great on both sides and and really makes you laugh out loud.

It is a very easy film to watch and I have watched it many times and have not got tired of it.

As well as laughing throughout it does also tug at the heart at times through the film giving it that edge making you want to watch more and more

Would definitely recommend to a friend without hesitation!!!!

I really enjoyed the movie. I though Dolly Parton did a great job. James Woods was good too. The part I really liked when she was on the talk show with the expert and she made the doc look like a fool. I love the part where she told this women "to get off the cross we need the wood".