Speedway Trio

Tender-but-tough divorcée, the struggling owner of an outdoor demolition derby arena in small town Illinois, is faced with a $10,000 upgrade from the county; one of the commissioners is trying to get her property cheap so he can build a country club on the spot, but is unaware his teenage son has a crush on the older woman, who is also being courted by her star-driver. Surprisingly complicated character-driven film from director Randal Kleiser, he of the hits "Grease" and "The Blue Lagoon". Working from Ken Hixon's mercurial script, Kleiser hands a wonderful role to top-billed Jamie Lee Curtis, who finally gets to show off an appealing range (it's one of her tightest performances). As her underage paramour, C. Thomas Howell is still doing his puppy dog bit (soulful eyes and trembling bottom lip), however Patrick Swayze is terrific as the macho star involved in an all-out war with his cheating wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh, convincing as an unrepentant tramp). Just as good as the younger players is Ramon Bieri as Howell's father; the under-appreciated actor stews in realistic exasperation with his kids, and Kleiser is careful not to mock him (the father's actions aren't fully considered, but we are able to perceive the man's character in Bieri's weary eyes and seasoned face). What doesn't work are the dream sequences/music videos which appear to be included to appeal to the teen market. This isn't another horny boy-meets-older woman hick-comedy, though it was advertised as such. The film has more on its mind than cheap thrills, and the actors seem to relish in their opportunities. **1/2 from ****

OK I must say that this movie isn't the greatest, but hey it was the 80s. This movie is special to me because it was filmed in my home town of Pontiac,IL. I was a little kid when they were filming it and I got to meet Jamie Lee. it was awesome. In Pontiac,IL not much goes on, so you can only imagine how fun it was to have a movie with real stars being made there! The place where they had the race track, was where I played Pony League. They used my high school, and many other parts of the town that I have been to. It's fun to watch this and look out for stuff that's there, not there and see some of my friends in little pieces of the film. So if you are from or have ever been to Pontiac,IL I suggest you watch this film!!

Grandview, USA is the film where Jamie Lee Curtis joins the Brat Pack. She plays the owner of a Demolition Derby Track in a small town named Grandview..

Depending on how you look at it small towns are the backbone of the USA or a stifling place one can't wait to leave.. C. Thomas Howell wants to leave and badly, but his dad Ramon Bieri has plans for him and plans for Grandview..

Those plans include taking over Jamie lee's track and building some homes and a golf course. Curtis feels an obligation to keep the track she inherite from her dad. She's also involved with Patrick Swayze who is married but wife Jennifer Jason Leigh doesn't take it all that seriously.

All the applecarts are upset when Howell moves in on Curtis. That sets off a chain events and and everyone starts to move toward their proper destinies.

It's a good brat pack film and a nice slice of life in small town USA that takes neither a positive or a negative position on it..

This is a strange movie and another spicy relationship from Kleiser coming back from Santorin. Usually, Smalltown, USA is almost paradise and this one says the opposite : it's a pit, faraway of modern life and hard for professional life or romances as every one knows every body ! That was indeed my feeling in my own hometown before leaving for the big city… The movie takes a long time to get settled (while it's only 100 minutes), but it's worth staying because this coming of age story (a theme that has always resonates in me) is about a grad teen having a crush for Jamie Lee ! Sure her occupation is crazy (manager of stunt cars) but in her cowboy clothes or in the teen fantasies as a rock star, she is totally stunning and thus i was really connected with what's happening between them. Swayze was solid as a poor hick unable to save his weeding while Jenny was a big disappointment : she thus plays her unfaithful wife but like the future Tralala from Red Hook, she is too much into teasing and nothing else… As this small town is near Chicago, we have also as bonus, the locals siblings from the area, maybe in their 1st appearance as both sister and brother are still young !

This movie is really great about life in a mid western town, a great cast in this movie. A young soon to be high school grad,Tim Pearson,played by C. Thomas Howell(The Outsiders, Red Dawn, and Soul Man)has his dreams. He has his moments in life,especially after the prom. Tim makes out with his girlfriend, Bonnie, played by Elizabeth Gorcey(Footloose), in his dad's brand new Cadillac. Tim goes to Cody's Speed Way where they have demolition derbies there, he meets Michelle"Mike"Cody, played by Jamie Lee Curtis(Halloween, True Lies, and Freaky Friday). Patrick Swayze(The Outsiders, Red Dawn, and Point Break) as Ernie"Slam"Webster, is awesome. Ernie is a former boyfriend of Mike Cody, Ernie is married to Candy, played by Jennifer Jason-Leigh(Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Single White Female, and Rush), who is cheating on Ernie with a guy named Donny Vinton, played by 1950's heart throb Troy Donahue. A love triangle goes on between Tim,Mike,and Slam. Mike has her troubles too cause the county want to shut down the Speed Way, they feel her pace is unsafe, but the real estate man, Roger Pearson, played by Ramon Bieri, Tim's dad has plans for the site the Speed Way. Tim has a romantic night with Mike Cody,they start to be more close. Slam has problems with his marriage and wants to get close to Mike. Things get crazier when Slam gets even with his wife and her lover by using a bulldozer to tear down the house. Tim and his dad have some differences, but Roger realizes that he should have done things different. Tim tells his father that he wants to follow his dream. The Speed Way gets burned down cause of Mike's little brother, nicknamed Cowboy, who like gum very much. Cowboy was upset cause Mike sold the cars that he thought were his. Things do get better for all. Mike and Slam start over together, Tim Pearson goes to Florida cause of Mike and Slam giving him his car.

I think this movie is underrated and should have been giving a lot more credit.

Grandview U.S.A. has a good supporting cast like Michael Winslow(The Police Academy movies, Spaceballs)as the announcer at the Speed Way.

M. Emmet Walsh(Blade Runner, Back To School, and Missing In Action)as Bonnie's father.

John Cusack(Better Off Dead, One Crazy Summer, and The Grifters)as Tim Pearson's friend,Johnny. Joan Cusack as Johnny's sister.

Carole Cook as Mike Cody's mother, Betty Welles.

John Philbin(Children Of The Corn and Point Break)as Cowboy.

I give this movie a 2 thumbs up and 10/10, I had the honor to see it filmed, I was staying with my aunt in Pontiac, Illinois, where the movie was filmed.