Wild Texas Wind (1991 TV Movie) User Reviews (10)

I quite liked it

[xhonkytonkangelx · 6/10 · 15 January 2009]

I decided to watch this film after coming across it late one night about 13 years ago, partly because I love Dolly and partly because I was bored. Loved the music (even the two dodgy duets between Dolly and Ray) and thought it was an interesting story idea. I agree that it wasn't a great film but I don't think it was all that bad either. It only started to go downhill for me really after Justice attacks Thiola for the last time because then everything starts speeding along without much sense like SPOILERS Why Ben called an ambulance if he and T both had their cars after he found her at the gas station bathroom.

No real explanation of what they were doing when they were both taken in the police cars after Justice got shot.

Why Ben was a suspect and T wasn't (unless he confessed cos he thought she did it. Or because there would've been the same evidence against her) but honestly the only motives they had were the very reasons in my opinion they couldn't have done it. Not that that would be important in the police investigation.

And of course the sudden attack of morality and deathbed confession of the father. Whom it was obvious (to me) anyway was the murderer all along.

END SPOILERS That aside I thought the performances were good. I hated the characters of Justice and Harlan which is unusual for me as I usually feel a lot of sympathy for the 'Bad Guys' in films. And it was a good story but it needed more development.

Dolly needs to go away forever.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 9 July 2023]

I'm referring to Dolly Parton getting away from Gary Busey who is obviously suffering from a mental illness that gives his personality multiple sides. Loving at one moment, violent and judgmental the next, especially after she goes out of her way to allure him with a night of passion, trying to strangle her after accusing her of being unladylike. The script does not present Busey as a one dimensional monster, and it's easy to see why Dolly's character could love him and try to stand by him as long as possible. His past is explained in a scene with his father whose abuse definitely had a negative impact on him. Having watched her ailing, elderly mother go through the same kind of abuse, the determined Dolly vows she'll never be like that. His actions leads to a shocking twist that reveals a lot of people had reasons to hate him.

A great cameo by Willie Nelson adds to the songs Dolly gets to sing as a rising country star, although it seems bizarre that her character would take so long to become a success. Dolly gets to stretch past playing basically herself, strong in scenes where she stands up to Busey. As her singing partner and close friend, Ray Benson is excellent, unable to step in and get Dolly to leave, knowing that she's going to do the most in her power to make it all work out even though relationships like this rarely do. So you get a view of abuse from the sides of the perpetrator and the victim, both of whom need different kinds of help to deal with their problems. Usually films of this nature only show one side, but the strength of this film doesn't go for the black or white but the grays in the middle.

Fantastic Movie

[dream-warrior2001 · 20 January 2003]

Once again, the inspiring Dolly Parton lights up the TV screen in the role of a battered girlfriend.

Dolly plays Thiola, a country music singer on the road with Big T and the Texas Wheel. When playing a gig one night, Thiola is approached by Justice Parker, a man that adores her and wants to make her a superstar. As time passes, Thiola and Justice fall in love with each other....but things are not all happy as they may appear on the surface. Justice is an unstable man who can't cope with jealousy and rage. He takes his frustrations out on Thiola, beating her like a punching bag. Constant apologies and Thiola's forgiveness hold them together for a period of time but as that time goes by, Thiola realizes that Justice isn't going to change and breaks it off with him.

Getting on with her life, she becomes stalked and frightened by Justice and doesn't know what to say or do to make him understand that it's over between them.

After a final beating of Thiola, Justice is murdered in his club one night - but who did it? Thiola...Ben...Harlan (Justice's mean spirited father)...who can it be?

You can normally catch this movie on Lifetime Movie Network or CMT Theatre at night time, and it's worth watching, so make sure you catch it next time it is on, or you can find the video on eBay...either way, you won't be let down - Dolly never lets you down! ;)

Weak beginning and dull midsection. The end stinks, too.

[mooveeguy · 1/10 · 24 February 2004]

A female country singer nicknamed "Big T"--seriously, that's what they call her--risks her budding musical career and her life by falling into the company of a sleazy drunkard (Busey) who wants to be her manager. His mother committed suicide, his father's an alcoholic as well, and he has a violent temper. You can imagine where that leads. In the meantime, there's music aplenty, as Parton, with her fluid vocal talents, belts out song after song (at least half a dozen of them about Texas). Steer clear of this mess and check her out in NINE TO FIVE or STEEL MAGNOLIAS instead.

hey, it's Dolly, what more ya want? : )

[dolly2midler · 9/10 · 22 July 2005]

Great movie, one of the best and a must-have for a fan! Its really really hard to get a hold of but once you do you'll watch it over and over again! It's a great dramatic role for Dolly, which she shines throughout.Aload of music numbers too, which from my experience have never been released outside this film! (well apart from 'on the road again,'which Dolly performs with Willie Nelson!) Oh! and for the boys, Dolly also appears in another skimpy outfit! ;) (the second time since the best little whorehouse in Texas.) If you are not a fan, but you don't mind glitzy outfits, country music and Dolly singing every now and again then it is still a great movie with a very watchable performance.9 out of 10 because the ending is a little abrupt but is not at all predictable! Enjoy! - i did.

put made for TV movies on DVD please!

[rosebolt · 10/10 · 9 June 2008]

In 1991 I was a fragile 16 year old girl with an abusive boyfriend. I grew up on Dolly and mom had just bought me White Limozeen for my birthday. When a commercial for the movie came on TV, I had to watch and see for myself that Dolly would allow this to happen to herself too. As I watched Dolly in Wild Texas Wind I knew that I would walk away from him and life could go on. It wasn't until much later that I figured out that this movie wasn't based on Dolly's life. Dolly has taught me through her music that a woman can stand on her two feet... where God planted her to begin with. But ya know what I can't figure out? Why hasn't anyone put these made for TV movies on DVD yet? I would love to own them!

Not a boring moment In this gripping Mystery.

[triple8 · 6 January 2005]

Love little known movies, "who done its", great acting, the State of Texas? Then this is your movie. Dolly Parten gives an amazing, genuinely moving performance here and the acting by everyone as well as direction is fabulous. In addition, the "who done it aspects" to this movie were done extremely well, also. This is a movie I recommend any fan of the above mentioned items, check out, it's also rich in great cinematography and features one of Dolly's most well acted performances. Hopefully, this movie Is still findeable. I would rate it an 8 of 10-not a dull moment throughout and this is an extremely well done picture, if little known.

This was a great movie.

[cathielynn · 17 April 2001]

In my opinion this was a fantastic film and a soundtrack should be brought out. The film had everything,including great singing from dolly parton and of course an appearance from willie nelson. Even the gorgeous gary busey made you hate him, it was great.

Terrible Yet Still Worth It

[acorn_of_doom · 22 June 2007]

I had wanted to see this movie ever since I found out it existed, being the only person in my age group that's a Dolly Parton fan (woohoo!). When I realized that it was near impossible to find I pretty much gave up hope on it, 'til one day, on a whim I decided to search for "Wild Texas Wind" on Youtube, and sure enough it was there, the whole movie. I then stayed up until 1 in the morning watching it, aren't I the pathetic one. Afterwards I just sat there, staring at the screen, what was this that I just watched? A sheer travesty is what it was, the film obviously had absolutely no budget and a terrible director. I can imagine on paper it looked pretty good, it had all the elements of a good story but all were incredibly poorly executed especially the attempt at putting it in a narrative frame. But there is still one gleaming reason to watch it, Dolly Parton herself. about 40% of the movie is all her performing and these are songs you can't hear anywhere else. Although it was an amazing blunder for the director, if you're a Dolly fan, you're bound to be entertained.

As a film I give it 3/10. For entertainment value, a definite 8/10

Not a very good movie

[cavtrpr · 5 September 2004]

During the early 90's I was a musician living and working out of Austin Texas. Through "Asleep at the Wheel", I got a bit part in this movie playing one of the musicians waiting to go onstage at the "Opry".

The story line is very weak, the acting is weak and about the only strong point is the music. Unfortunately for the viewers, some of the best music didn't get on tape. Gary Busey's jam with "Asleep at the Wheel" was incredible.

As far as the acting, the best performances were turned in by Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and Gary Busey.

On a scale from one to ten, I'd have to give "Wild Texas Wind" a three.