Shirlee (Dolly Parton) worked at a dance studio. Rather than teach her partners to dance, she chatted to them. Her boss fired her. When she told her boyfriend, Steve (Michael Madsen), he berated her. She decided it was time for a fresh start and left for Chicago. The job search proved difficult. At one point, she stopped at a bridge with notions of tossing a coin into the river to make a wish. Jack (James Woods) mistook her as planning to jump to her death and grabbed her. It did not make for a good first meeting. Later, while having breakfast at a diner, Shirlee met Janine (Teri Hatcher) and was soon telling her how to handle her workaholic boyfriend. Moments later, her boyfriend, none other than Jack, arrived. It did not make for a good second meeting. Shirlee finally got a job as a receptionist at a radio station. While looking for the coffee machine, she was mistaken for the new talk radio psychologist and put on the air. Her homespun and folksy advice proved to be ratings juggernaut. Despite no qualifications, she was given a show by Alan (Griffin Dunne), who kept her lack of credentials to himself. As chance would have it, Jack was a reporter and he now took an interest in 'Doctor' Shirlee. Maybe there was a frontpage story here. He'd need to get close to her and asked her on a date.
A romantic comedy that is also a fish out of water story. Shirlee is a small-town girl who isn't used to the big city. This is made more pronounced with her posing as a doctor, but not understanding certain words and expressions. However, Dolly is quite charming and has a magical laugh and radiant smile. One is always hoping for Shirlee to do well, even if she is pulling a fast one. James Woods is a strange choice for a romantic comedy. He does a fine job, but this just isn't the kind of role one would expect for him. Unsurprisingly, the soundtrack features several songs by Dolly Parton.
Light and fun. A must for Dolly Parton fans.
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