Urban Cowboy

Urban Cowboy is a 1980 American romantic Western film directed by James Bridges. The plot concerns the love-hate relationship between Buford Ewing “Bud" Davis (John Travolta) and Sissy (Debra Winger). The film's success was credited for spurring a mainstream revival of country music. Much of the action revolves around activities at Gilley's Club, a football-field-sized honky tonk in Pasadena, Texas. Plot Twenty-something Buford "Bud" Davis leaves his family home in Spur, Texas and drives to Pasadena for an oil refinery job where his uncle, Bob Davis, works. Bud wants to earn enough money to buy land in Spur. While staying with Bob and his family, Bud embraces the local nightlife, including Gilley's, a popular Pasadena bar and nightclub. Bud meets Sissy at Gilley's. The young couple fall in love, marry soon after, and move into a brand-new mobile home. Although they love each other, Sissy is feisty and independent, while hot-tempered Bud believes in traditional gender roles, causing frequent quarrels. They settle into a routine of working during the day and socializing at Gilley's at night. Bud enjoys riding the mechanical bull, but when Sissy wants to try, Bud forbids it. Wes Hightower, a recently-paroled convict and prison rodeo champion, is hired to operate Gilley's mechanical bull. A drunken Bud is enraged when Wes flirtatiously tips his hat at Sissy. Wanting to impress Bud, Sissy secretly spends time at Gilley's where Wes teaches her to ride the mechanical bull. When Sissy successfully rides the bull, Bud is angry that she defied him. During his ride, Wes intentionally swings the bull around hard, breaking Bud's arm. At home, Bud and Sissy argue. She claims Bud is jealous because she rides the bull better than him. Bud slaps Sissy and throws her out of their trailer. When Bud later sees Sissy at Gilley's, he gives her a friendly smile, but she ignores him. Bud retaliates by dancing with Pam, the beautiful daughter of a rich oilman. They leave together, with Bud making sure Sissy sees them. Sissy moves in with Wes, who lives in a run-down trailer behind Gilley's.