DOLLY PARTON R.I.P. – STRAIGHT TALK (1992)

Unfortunately, Dolly Parton, singer and movie starlet, has passed away. Here’s my review of her film with James Woods. 

STRAIGHT TALK (1992)

Dolly’s Role: Shirlee Kenyon

James’s Role: Jack Russell 

Comment: James Woods as the leading man in a romantic comedy? With Dolly Parton as his love interest? Believe it or not this Lady of Many Talents and the Man of a Thousand Personae even pull off THIS! 

When his girlfriend Janice (Teri Hatcher) dumps him, Jack Russell begins dating Shirlee Kenyon (Parton), who has moved to Chicago after fleeing an abusive relationship in Arkansas. Through the kind of unlikely misunderstandings and coincidences that only happen in the movies, Shirlee lands a job as a radio talk show therapist. The station manager insists she call herself “Doctor Shirlee” in order to seem like a licensed professional.

Jack sees through the phony doctor’s schtick based on a meet-cute he had with Parton when she first arrived in Chicago. He plans his next big story to be an expose and take-down of the phony celebrity and pursues a relationship with her to help his investigation.

Needless to say, he genuinely falls in love with her, but when she learns he’s a reporter she assumes he was just using her and dumps him. Woods refuses to go through with his expose but Shirlee is found out anyway and loses her gig. She gets it back and Shirlee & Jack renew their romance in the predictable but entertaining finale.

Parton and Woods MAKE this flick and despite some poor reviews it’s still better than its reputation. The comedy is more hit than miss and it’s not meant to go any deeper than sitcom level. The “Holy Moly” bedroom scene with Woods and Parton is simultaneously cringe and cute.

*** Rest in peace, Dolly Parton. You were one of a kind.