TOUGH GUY is another boxing film that is somewhat reminiscent of the old Kirk Douglas film, CHAMPION, except that the character DENNIS QUAID plays is not stepping on people in his way up the ladder of success. Instead, Quaid plays an aspiring country singer in need of cash who decides to compete in the "Tough Man" boxing contest. He falls into the hands of an unscrupulous manager, well played by WARREN OATES, and wins a number of fights (in what appears to be "against all odds" judging from some of the other contenders).
It's a fast-moving tale, colorfully enacted and giving Quaid a chance to warble a couple of pleasant country western songs while strumming a guitar. But he's ferocious in all of the fighting scenes and really does look like a convincing boxer in some amazingly well staged matches that stand inspection even under the merciless eye of the close-up camera.
Quaid is so good--and the other players are equally competent--that they lift the film out of the "average" category into "very watchable" territory. Passes the time quickly in an hour and forty-six minutes.
The script could have been a lot tidier, especially for the climactic fight scene and the end result is a film that's message is no more than follow your dream no matter what.
