preppy-3
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.
moonspinner55
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 ****
hondo551
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!
dbell8400
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.
AD
