TUFF TURF (1985)
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
"Tuff Turf" is not that rough or violent for a teenage exploitation picture, and it ain't sexy enough for devoted Kim Richards fans. However, the movie is technically watchable for fans of James Spader and devotees of Robert Downey, Jr., you know, the crazy party boy actor before his stunning turn in 1987's "Less Than Zero."
Spader is the teenage protagonist, Morgan Hiller, who is pretty quick on the trigger with his dart guns. He and his family have moved from the posh digs of Connecticut to some place in San Fernando Valley. Morgan's father (Matt Clark) lost his job in the East and now drives a cab (question: what job did the father have where they all came from wealth to living in modest digs where he is now a cab driver? Some job running a company that went down under, possibly a Reagan commentary on the job crisis of the 80's but who knows). Morgan doesn't quite fit in to the new high school, which looks less uninviting than its other cinematic counterparts such as 1989's "Lean on Me" or the 1982 cult film "Class of '84." It looks like a school out of a CBS Schoolbreak special. Morgan has a bully nemesis - a mugger named Nick (Paul Mones) who destroys Morgan's bicycle! I expected a cheesy fight scene to ensue and instead, Morgan picks up his broken bike and heads home to fix it. Yep, cheesy beyond belief. Morgan has a thing for Nick's girlfriend, Frankie (Kim Richards) but no matter how many times the gang beats Morgan up or pelts him with towels holding locks and other heavy metal items, Morgan keeps coming back and invites her to his house for dinner.
"Tuff Turf" is a strange, slapdash picture because it has no real identity and no real structure. It is not quite exploitation and not quite sleazy enough, though there are technically two sex scenes and enough hardcore violence in the climax to qualify as exploitation. Most of the film parades along without any real urgency since Morgan and Nick are like the Terminator - you beat them down and they keep getting back up for more. Spader is always a compelling presence on screen (and still looks much too old to be in high school) and his scenes with his father are well-written. Robert Downey, Jr. is welcome comic relief and Paul Mones is as revolting a gang leader as I've seen since "The Warriors." Plus, you can't hate a picture that features a musical performance by Jim Carroll.
A cheesy guilty pleasure of a movie, but I am still not sure what Morgan is rebelling against. The message is take the girl from the wrong side of the Valley to a dance club and everything will be fine.
Footnote: A warehouse scene where Jim Carroll performs features a graffiti sign outside the entrance that reads: THE NEW AVENGERS. It is interesting to note that Robert Downey, Jr. and James Spader are seen exiting the warehouse right in front of the graffiti sign, considering Downey later went on to play Iron Man in three films and "The Avengers" and Spader has been cast as a villain in the "Avengers" sequel.
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