Quartier chaud

James Spader got himself a breakout role in Tuff Turf as a preppy kid from Connecticut resettled in a California public high school. Even though the family has had some financial reverses and aren't living the life Spader has become accustomed to, he still thinks of himself as to the manor born.

So when he spots Kim Richards who is the girlfriend of gang leader Paul Montes he decides to move in. Montes is a jealous and possessive sort and that means trouble all around.

The story has both Spader and Richards growing in character as well as into each other. Spader loses a bit of that preppy arrogance and Richards gradually realizes that Montes is a loser in the long run and she likes being treated with a little dignity and respect.

Robert Downey, Jr. is in Tuff Turf as well in the sidekick role for Spader. Montes gives a most frightening performance when he starts realizing Richards has slipped away from him.

Tuff Turf holds up well for today's audiences. It's a good Brat Pack film of the Reagan 80s.

Omg, Frankie, how hot is she.

I grew up watching the movie on vhs, loved it, and hated it, way to gansta for my farm life. But still, what a nice escape to realise my life was good.

The movie depicted a life style that scared me, along the way, learnt some good music!

Jim Carroll, thank u so so soooo much!

A good 30 years later ,till listen to u.

Morgan Hiller (James Spader) is a new kid in high school. He makes enemies with the local gang...but the gang leader's girlfriend (Kim Richards) falls for him.

The plot is very predictable but this still is lots of fun to watch. I saw it in a theatre back on a freezing cold winters night in 1985. I was in college and just expected a stupid teen flick (that's what I was in the mood for). I was surprised to find myself really liking it. In terms of fashions, music and attitude it was great! It caught the 1980s head on. These kids talked and acted like high school kids (even though all of them were well over that age). It moved quickly, was well-directed and is full of energy. Most of the acting is very good especially by Richards and a then unknown Robert Downey Jr. Spader was a little bit too mannered for the role but he was OK.

This is no unsung masterpiece but I think it's a good strong 80s flick. I give it an 8.

Robert Downey Jr. AND James Spader? This could be a total turkey and I'd still watch it.

The performance of both is excellent, but that's no surprise. You get to see the formation of some of their respective trademark mannerisms.

Overall: strange plot, seems to sit between genres, starts off as a sort of High School rom-com but quickly descends into a rough teen thriller, with two major and totally random music numbers in the first part, both of which are arse-numbingly boring and ludicrous.

Having said that - James Spader's singing is nice - he's got a good voice but nothing wow, which is why it's interesting that the filmmakers have included it, but it lends a touch of authenticity to a highly stylized 80s flick. The song is odd, unknown to me, but it served its plot purpose I suppose - I would have preferred something else but we can't have it all can we.

Side note: what a beautiful man (James Spader). As penetrating and mesmerizing as ever.

Moving onto the girl: she's good. Intriguing. Playing with the concept of the good/bad girl credibly. Her back story is convincing (and so is Spader's).

The "baddy" of the piece is suitably threatening - you do feel intimidated by the violence and his gang throughout, and I did hold my breath on a few occasions - in terms of the suspense and fight scenes - two thumbs up.

Interesting ending - they didn't go for any cheapshots but saw it through to the end.

All in all - I think it's a bit of a gem, if a bit of a mongrel one.

Tuff Turf brings back memories of watching movies on Select TV. This 80's cult hit is about a young rapscallion who's life is turned upside down when his upper class father hits financial trouble forcing his family to move out to the 'hood. James Spader slowly learns how to deal with street life whilst his family adjusts to dealing with people that are of "lower social class". Interesting film staring James Spader as the young punk rich kid, Matt Clark as his shell shocked father, Robert Downey Jr. as his high school buddy and Kim Richards (Escape To Witch Mountain) as his soon to be girlfriend. The only part of the movie that gave me the willies was when his older (more culturally refined) brother pays a visit, there's an oedipal conflict between the two (the scene where the older brother embraces his mom far too long and hugs her too close for comfort)that would have given Freud a thrill to try and psycho-analyzed.

Recommended for 80's fans.