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James Spader, Kim Richards, Paul Mones, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Clark ... see more see more... , Claudette Nevins , Olivia Barash , Panchito Gomez , Michael Wyle , Catya Sassoon , Bill Beyers , Frank McCarthy , Jim Carroll , Jered Barclay , Kerry Brennan , Vivian Brown , Ceil Cabot , Randolph Dreyfuss , Art Evans , Lou Fant , Donald Fullilove , Dale Gonyea , Greg Smith , Tony Young , Andrew Kastner , Cheryl Ann Clark , Donna Fuller , Matt Gavin , Evonne Kezios , Eric Kiertzner , Mike Lea , Chad McCann , Herb Mitchell , Gene Pietragallo , Tom Sims , Cecilie A. Stuart , Cactus Jack Mack , Ray Zimmerman , Robert Alvarez , John Berry Jr. , Cathy Miller

This routine film catalogues what happens to a teen's life when he is wrenched from an easy existence in affluent, East Coast suburbia and dropped into the lean, mean streets of a downscale L.A. subur... read more read more...b. James Spader is Morgan Hiller, displaced with his parents and brother when his father loses some of the wealth to which they were accustomed and the family moves to California. Morgan soon attracts Frankie (Kim Richards), the girlfriend of Nick (Paul Mones), a high school tough who does not appreciate Frankie's change of heart. The antagonism between Morgan and Frankie mounts as they both approach a high-noon showdown. Aside from some musical numbers which seem to have wandered in from another film about teen singers and dancers, the story is compelling and the film is notable for one of the early performances of Robert Downey in a subsidiary role. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

3,188 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Fritz Kiersch

Release Date: January 11, 1985

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DVD Release Date: March 12, 2001

Stats: 185 reviews

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Tuff Turf James Spader Jimmy Parker (Robert Downey Jr.) Tuff Turf James Spader Morgan Hiller(James Spader) Kim Richards
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Flixster Reviews (185)

  • ajv2688
    January 19, 2011
    ajv2688
    Spader is the new Dean in this rebellious teen drama/thriller. I really liked it, and if you're a fan of Spader you'll like it too.
  • creepfreak
    August 6, 2010
    creepfreak
    Great film, brings back many childhood memories. It's cheesy in parts of course (teen 80's) but that's only part of it's charm. I'll never get tired of this film. It's a fun and entertaining viewing experience. Great soundtrack as well.
  • ileo
    April 16, 2007
    ileo
    LOVE SOME OF THE MUSIC IN THE MOVIE!!
    I remember this from my childhood.
  • phaup55
    April 4, 2012
    phaup55
    This film is most often overlooked as just another teen drama. Before I say anything more I'll acknowledge that is exactly what it is. I would however point out that it set itself far apart from the herd in that only being released halfway through the decade Tuff Turf plays out m... read moreore like a parody or homage to the 1980s filmed a decade or more later. In fact very few films I have ever seen have ever basted in their own decade-ness as this film does. It rivals other 80s standouts like Weird Science and films from other decades like Hackers, Superbad and Saturday Night Fever in this respect. As far as casting goes for teen dramas in the 80s you can't get better than James Spader and Robert Downey Jr..
  • The80sExpert
    January 28, 2012
    The80sExpert
    This movie was better than I thought it would be, plus one of my favourite bands played in a scene too! Spader's character is cool, and the story is good, even if it is sorta like Rebel Without a Cause.
  • Movielover1987
    January 18, 2009
    Movielover1987
    Totally 80's movie, it's kinda underrated though, good movie, cool 80's music, and nice fight scenes.
  • bradwest
    December 19, 2008
    bradwest
    Adequate teen drama/ thriller. Funny to see Spader, Downey, etc. in this compared to theri current gigs.
  • surfcooldude
    March 12, 2008
    surfcooldude
    This movie was so taboo at that time. Its weird that I have a special bond with this movie... So obscure that you can only have this in non region 1 version. I love the song he played in the country club.

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Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 21, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Cliché ridden proceedings with an obligatory rock soundtrack.

David Nusair
February 16, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...about as bad as it gets when it comes to cheesy '80s teen flicks. Full Review

October 18, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 5, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jon Niccum
July 11, 2003
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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