After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy, a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.
Directed by James Bridges
adultery
country music
texas
houston, texas
slice of life
blue collar
gender roles
newlywed
oil refinery
misogynist
marital separation
marital problem
jealous husband
bull riding
oil field
abusive marriage
abusive husband
country dances
abusive relationship
"country western" soundtrack
bar setting
country line dancing
physical competition
romantic rivals
mechanical bull-riding
controlling husband
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.2 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
John Travolta
Bud Davis
Debra Winger
Sissy
Scott Glenn
Wes
Madolyn Smith Osborne
Pam
Barry Corbin
Uncle Bob
Brooke Alderson
Aunt Corene
Cooper Huckabee
Marshall
James Gammon
Steve Strange
Mickey Gilley
Himself
Bonnie Raitt
Herself
Betty Murphy
Bud's Mom
Charlie Daniels
Himself
Crew
James Bridges
Director
James Bridges
Screenplay
Reynaldo Villalobos
Director of Photography
Robert Evans
Producer
Irving Azoff
Producer
C.O. Erickson
Executive Producer
Gene Hartline
Stunts
C.O. Erickson
Production Manager
Marion Dougherty
Casting
Willie D. Burton
Sound Mixer
Shari Rhodes
Casting
John Toll
Camera Operator
Popular Reviews
55 reviews
Jayla
6.0★ · 05/18/26
drinking problems and domestic violence. amazing love story.
drinking problems and domestic violence. amazing love story.
orangutan
10.0★ · 03/04/26
Tony manero as a cowboy excellent
Tony manero as a cowboy excellent
Candy
3.0★ · 12/13/25
why were his legs spread like that
why were his legs spread like that
Shelby Mattingly
4.0★ · 12/13/25
My dad used to watch this movie all the time and I think there’s something a little gay about that…
My dad used to watch this movie all the time and I think there’s something a little gay about that…