Tuff Turf
Drama • Action • Romance
Theatrical Release (US)
~ Meet Morgan Hiller. He's a rebel about to become a hero. ~
Overview:
The new guy in a Los Angeles high school, Morgan, does some singing and fights hotshot Nick over disco dancer Frankie.
Director:
Fritz Kiersch
Status:
Released
Language:
English
Buget:
$0.00
Revenue:
Key words:
Cast
James Spader
~ as ~
Morgan Hiller
Kim Richards
Frankie Croyden
Paul Mones
Nick Hauser
Matt Clark
Stuart Hiller
Claudette Nevins
Page Hiller
Olivia Barash
Ronnie
Robert Downey Jr.
Jimmy Parker
Panchito Gómez
Mickey
Michael Wyle
Eddie
Catya Sassoon
Feather
dennyjt
Written 2 year(s) ago
Wuchak
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1980s were a great time for young actors in Hollywood. So many performers were given vehicles to launch their careers, even if not always of top material, it got them visibility. This was the first lead for James Spader, as the moody new kid in school, in a situation striaght out of "Rebel Without A Cause". The rought boys pick on him, although he is instantly smitten by temptress Kim Richards, who has the longest hair in film history. Another misfit, Robert Downey Jr. befriends him, showing with a comic charm that would become a trait in later years. The movie has a feel that these are kids play acting as adults, but "Rebel" did that that as well. The fashions are on-trend, the frequent music interludes are new wave cool. This is a fun watch, if unremarkable.
A troubled new kid on the block has to dance and fight for a girl, not to mention respect
A prep from Connecticut (James Spader) starts his senior year at a public school in Los Angeles after his father loses his company and scales down in SoCal. He sets his eyes on the beautiful girlfriend (Kim Richards) of a gang leader (Paul Mones) and all hell breaks loose.
"Tuff Turf" (1985) is similar plot-wise to “The Karate Kid” from the year prior, but isn’t as effective because it tries to be too many things. It’s a musical, a coming-of-age drama, a teen comedy, a romance, an art film and a bloody gang flick all rolled into one.
The first half is an amusing musical with pizazz while the second half turns dramatic and violent. In short, it’s a mishmash of “Grease” (1978), “The Warriors” (1979), “Valley Girl” (1983), “Rumble Fish” (1983) and “The Karate Kid.”
I like it, but the finale in the warehouse devolves into larger-than-life surrealness. Still, the music’s great, Spader carries the movie, Robert Downey Jr. is entertaining in an early role and Kim Richards (child actress from the 70s) is jaw-dropping with her stunning hair.
The film runs 1 hour, 51 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area.
GRADE: B-
