Watch Straight Talk

Straight Talk is a 1992 romantic comedy directed by Barnet Kellman, and starring Dolly Parton, James Woods, and Griffin Dunne. The movie follows the story of a small-town woman, Shirlee Kenyon (Dolly Parton), who comes to the big city in search of a career as a radio talk show host. Despite having no experience or education in radio broadcasting, Shirlee's natural talent for giving advice and her charismatic personality quickly make her the talk of the town.

Upon arriving in Chicago, Shirlee gets a job as a receptionist at a radio station, but her real goal is to become a talk show host. One day, she gets her big break when a crisis erupts at the station and she is thrust onto the airwaves to fill in for the regular host. Her unorthodox advice and down-to-earth approach instantly make her a hit with listeners, who begin to flood the station with calls and letters.

As Shirlee's popularity grows, so does her confidence, and she quickly establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with in the radio world. However, as her fame and success grow, Shirlee finds herself drawn into a complex web of relationships and power struggles with the people around her, including a sleazy program director (James Woods), a down-on-his-luck journalist (Griffin Dunne), and a wealthy businessman (Michael Madsen) who wants to sponsor her show.

Throughout the movie, Shirlee's homespun wisdom and heartfelt advice help her callers navigate the challenges of love, friendship, and family, while also allowing her to develop her own relationships and personal growth.

Despite being a lighthearted romantic comedy, "Straight Talk" touches on themes of class, power, and gender dynamics, as Shirlee faces discrimination and prejudice as a woman in a male-dominated industry. The movie also explores the importance of authenticity and sincerity in both personal and professional relationships, as Shirlee's honesty and integrity help her win over listeners and earn the respect of her colleagues.

Ultimately, "Straight Talk" is a heartwarming and uplifting feel-good movie that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with Dolly Parton's charming and charismatic performance as Shirlee Kenyon. It's a timeless classic that proves that sometimes the best advice comes from the most unexpected places.

Straight Talk is a 1992 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.