IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.
- Awards
- 1 win
Robert Downey Jr.
- Jimmy Parker
- (as Robert Downey)
Panchito Gómez
- Mickey
- (as Panchito Gomez)
Francis X. McCarthy
- Man at Bus Stop
- (as Frank McCarthy)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Downey Jr. became good friends with James Spader, and even named his cat Jimmy in honor of him. They would appear together again in Less Than Zero (1987) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
- GoofsIn James Spader's first appearance in the film the patch on the back of his leather jacket is slashed with a car antenna. Although the patch is still slashed when he arrives at school the next day, it next appears fully intact later the same day at school while Spader is talking to Robert Downey, Jr.
- Crazy creditsDuring the end credits, we see Morgan, Frankie, Jimmy and Ronnie dancing and playing instruments with Jack Mack and the Heart Attack at Club 60's.
- Alternate versionsOn the home video version, the song "Breakin' the Rules" is performed by Jonathan Elias, instead of Lene Lovich, whose version is played in the theatrical release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Cinema Snob: Children of the Corn (1984) (2023)
- SoundtracksTuff Turf
Written by Jonathan Elias & Doug Hall
Performed by Southside Johnny Lyon (as Southside Johnny)
Published by Chilly D. Music and Music Design Publishing
Featured review
Image is everything.
Anyone with a music shout-out? 'Tuff Turf' is a uneven, but overly stylised and fashionable mixture ranging from a lesser take on 'Rebel without a Cause' with a constant spray of social and class references/forbidden romance in a L.A suburban backdrop and being backed-up by a pumping soundtrack led by Jim Carroll and Jack Mack and Heart Attacks. The music was non-stop and the story's tone and shape zips-around, as early on we seemed to move from one joint to another featuring blaring tunes and raving dance moves.
Morgan Miller and his family have just moved from Connecticut to Los Angeles, where he encounters and interferes with the local gang led by the psychotic Nick Hauser. To make matters worse, his fallen for Hauser's girlfriend Frankie and goes about trying to grab her attention, despite the warnings and beatings to stay away from her.
The young cast are quite good. James Spader genuinely fits blending a rebellious attitude with easy-going suaveness. The gorgeous Kim Richards is completely transfixing in who wholesome performance and punk appearance. Paul Mones nails down his role as the hot-headed thug and Robert Downey Jr. lends in with an agreeable performance. Also dependable character actor Matt Clark makes for solid support.
Director Fritz Kiersch truly gets the beat on with its breakneck pack (despite some editing in the story wouldn't have gone astray) and stylishly muscular verve. When it calls for it, Kiersch isn't afraid to pack a punch, as the jarring violence is sweaty and a bloody pulp. Jonathan Elias' booming, sullen synthesiser score helps cement the rough atmosphere and saucy energy. Some set-pieces seem to work better than others, but there's no question there are a couple of powerful, moving and harsh illustrations. The script isn't as foreseeable, but the humour at times seemed to get in the way or not entirely fit.
Morgan Miller and his family have just moved from Connecticut to Los Angeles, where he encounters and interferes with the local gang led by the psychotic Nick Hauser. To make matters worse, his fallen for Hauser's girlfriend Frankie and goes about trying to grab her attention, despite the warnings and beatings to stay away from her.
The young cast are quite good. James Spader genuinely fits blending a rebellious attitude with easy-going suaveness. The gorgeous Kim Richards is completely transfixing in who wholesome performance and punk appearance. Paul Mones nails down his role as the hot-headed thug and Robert Downey Jr. lends in with an agreeable performance. Also dependable character actor Matt Clark makes for solid support.
Director Fritz Kiersch truly gets the beat on with its breakneck pack (despite some editing in the story wouldn't have gone astray) and stylishly muscular verve. When it calls for it, Kiersch isn't afraid to pack a punch, as the jarring violence is sweaty and a bloody pulp. Jonathan Elias' booming, sullen synthesiser score helps cement the rough atmosphere and saucy energy. Some set-pieces seem to work better than others, but there's no question there are a couple of powerful, moving and harsh illustrations. The script isn't as foreseeable, but the humour at times seemed to get in the way or not entirely fit.
helpful•154
- lost-in-limbo
- Jan 23, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Love-Fighters
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $9,369,329
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,509,380
- Jan 13, 1985
- Gross worldwide
- $9,369,329
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