I was a graduate student when the movie came out. It came to my attention through newspaper ads plus a radio station I used to listen to, as several songs from the soundtrack album were on its playlist.
Based on what I heard on the radio, I had high hopes for this film and looked forward to watching it. I finally got my chance about a year and a half later when it was shown on a certain cable channel--the music was great; the movie, however, wasn't. I saw a sanitized version on commercial TV and my opinion remained the same. I saw it uncut once again recently and it hasn't improved with age.
Aside from the soundtrack, there's really nothing to the film. It's basically a 90-minute TV movie padded out to a far too long 2-1/4 hours. The added running time doesn't help the already flimsy plot.
Another reviewer on this site has likened it to "Saturday Night Fever" with cowboy hats and that's an accurate assessment. SNF at least examined the disco culture to some extent, but, based on UC, I'm no wiser about what the appeal of being (or, at least, play-acting) a cowboy is and I grew up in a town where country and western music was quite popular.
A major disappointment.
Based on what I heard on the radio, I had high hopes for this film and looked forward to watching it. I finally got my chance about a year and a half later when it was shown on a certain cable channel--the music was great; the movie, however, wasn't. I saw a sanitized version on commercial TV and my opinion remained the same. I saw it uncut once again recently and it hasn't improved with age.
Aside from the soundtrack, there's really nothing to the film. It's basically a 90-minute TV movie padded out to a far too long 2-1/4 hours. The added running time doesn't help the already flimsy plot.
Another reviewer on this site has likened it to "Saturday Night Fever" with cowboy hats and that's an accurate assessment. SNF at least examined the disco culture to some extent, but, based on UC, I'm no wiser about what the appeal of being (or, at least, play-acting) a cowboy is and I grew up in a town where country and western music was quite popular.
A major disappointment.