Viva Oklahoma

I really enjoyed this movie when it was first shown and I'd like to see it again. Leslie Ann Warren is wonderful as Juanita. Of course the thrill is with Juanita getting to sing HER SONG with Willie Nelson! My only regret is that no one (to my knowledge) has recorded the title song.

This is a gem of a TV movie, especially for Texans. And as a TCU alum, I really enjoyed the brief allusions to the school and its not-so-hot football team. Dan Jenkins has a quirky writing style which he translated to the screen with aplomb. Swoosie Kurtz is a stitch and portrays the adventure-seeking housewife to the hilt. Although you won't see it in most of her biographies, this is one of Julia Roberts' early films, and she makes the perfect daughter for Leslie Ann Warren's character. Willie's brief and unexpected appearance will be enjoyed by his fans and is the perfect conclusion to this little treat.

I've probably watched this movie twenty times, don't know why, but I really enjoyed this one. Leslie Anne Warren has always been one of my favorite Country Movie Actresses (Pure Country, The Songwriter etc.), and really liked her performance here. The song "Baja Oklahoma" written by Dan Jenkins is super but unfortunately have been unable to find it on a CD. Singing greats like Emmy Lou Harris, John Mayall and Willie Nelson's appearance at the end made it that much more enjoyable. John M. Jackson and Swoosie Kurtz's performances were also great. Peter Coyote also played a good role. Overall an underrated movie Wish they'd put this on DVD, I'd be the first customer.

Swoosie Kurtz is always good, but in this picture she is absolutely great. What a shame that, cast in a supporting role in a TV movie that is seldom re-run, such a brilliant performance should not be better known. The picture itself is worthwhile, though not terribly original. But all hail Swoosie for the performance of a lifetime. See the movie, spread the word, and send her a nice fan letter. You won't have to be asked twice.

Baja Oklahoma is a wonderful HBO Original Film that is remembered primarily as an early Julia Roberts vehicle, but deserves much more than that! Written by 'Semi-Tough' scribe Dan Jenkins, the film crackles with great one-liners, inspired casting, and a 'Cinderella' storyline that's hard to beat.

Lesley Ann Warren (who's never been feistier or more beautiful) is Juanita, a good-hearted Texas woman with a string of bad relationships, an 18-year old daughter (Roberts) running off to Aspen with a dope-pushing boyfriend, a dead-end job waitressing at a bar, and dreams of being a songwriter. Her best friend/fellow waitress, Doris (the fabulous Swoozie Kurtz) cheats on her husband regularly, rationalizing her infidelities ("I ain't havin' relationships, I'm gettin' laid!") and depending on her to back up her alibis; her bar patrons (including singer Billy Vera and the terrific William Forsythe) are an undependable but very likable collection of oddballs.

When Juanita's high school flame (Peter Coyote) returns to town for his father's funeral, her life begins to turn around. Both have been burned but still remain optimistic, and he believes in her talent. All she needs is some good advice (provided by Vera), a little management (offered by local deejay Anthony Zerbe, who's a hoot), some inspiration (from Coyote, of course!), and a little luck, and her dreams just might come true!

Filled with classic country tunes, appearances by Emmylou Harris, John Mayall, and Willie Nelson, and a terrific title tune by Jenkins and Nelson, this is a 'feel-good' movie that may just bring a tear to your eye by the finale. It's that good!

So if you watch this simply to see Julia Roberts, prepare to be enchanted by another 'Pretty Woman'!