Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

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Even Cowgirls Get the Blues ★½ 1994 (R)

‘70s counterculture loses its ill-defined charm in a meandering adaptation of cult author Tom Robbins' 1976 novel. An interesting failure, but likely to alienate both Van Sant and Robbins fans. Sissy Hackshaw (Thurman) possesses enormous thumbs which she hopes will make her the greatest hitchhiker in the world. But first they take her to a NYC modeling career for The Countess (Hurt in a high camp performance), who sends her to the Rubber Rose ranch, recently liberated by female cowhands, who are happy to welcome her. Theatrical release was delayed numerous times as Van Sant recut but it doesn't matter—the only successful feature is the soundtrack. 106m/C VHS, DVD . Uma Thurman, John Hurt, Rain Phoenix, Lorraine Bracco, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, Angie Dickinson, Keanu Reeves; Cameos: Sean Young, Crispin Glover, Roseanne, Ed Begley Jr.; D: Gus Van Sant; W: Gus Van Sant; C: Eric Alan Edwards, John Campbell; M: k.d. lang, Ben Mink.