Straight Talk
Straight Talk

Straight Talk

1992Movie91 minEnglish

Honest and straightforward small-town Shirlee Kenyon chucks her boyfriend and heads for Chicago. Accidentally having to host a radio problem phone-in show, it is clear she is a natural and is hired on the spot. But the station insists she call herself Doctor, and as her popularity grows a local reporter starts digging for the truth. Problem is, the more he is around her the more he fancies her.

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Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Metacritic43/100
Google Users74%
Director: Barnet BainGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Shirley is a struggling single mother who, to make ends meet, impersonates a popular advice guru on a local radio show. Her advice, though often hilariously misguided, proves surprisingly effective, helping callers solve their problems. However, her deception begins to unravel when her popularity skyrockets and a determined reporter starts investigating her true identity.

Critical Reception

Straight Talk received a generally lukewarm reception from critics, who often found the premise amusing but felt the execution was predictable and lacked depth. While Dolly Parton's performance was frequently praised for her charisma and comedic timing, the film struggled to deliver a consistently engaging narrative. Audiences were somewhat more receptive, appreciating the lighthearted entertainment and Parton's star power.

What Reviewers Say

  • Dolly Parton's charm is the film's saving grace, offering a warm and energetic performance.
  • The comedic situations are often amusing, but the plot relies on predictable tropes.
  • While entertaining, the film ultimately feels lightweight and doesn't fully capitalize on its intriguing premise.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight Dolly Parton's delightful performance and the film's feel-good nature as major positives. Many found it to be a pleasant and lighthearted comedy that was enjoyable for a casual watch. Some viewers noted that the plot was somewhat predictable but still found it entertaining due to the lead's charisma.

Fun Fact

Dolly Parton's character, Shirlee Kenyon, was inspired by radio psychologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

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