My Review – Tuff Turf

A 1985 Drama? this can’t be good…

Directed by Fritz Kiersch, this 80s version of Romeo and Juliet stars James Spader and Kim Richards. Not long ago, I went down a wormhole of Robert Downey Junior Movies (I even had a written list to check off).

Side-note, If you’d like to read a feature on his filmography I’d be happy to oblige.

Moreover, through all this studying of movies, I came across, in my opinion, a few I enjoyed. These may not be up there in mighty quality, but if you like taking a trip into the 80s, this may be a film for you. Fashion, hairstyles, blushy red make-up, and the music, it encompasses the style perfectly. The film’s tone is a romance tragically divided by the lifestyles of the different classes. Frankie, played by Kim Richards is a young working-class girl stuck in a toxic relationship. Whereas Morgan, the preppy bad-boy from a wealthy family. Takes a liking to Frankie and has to go through her gang-member boyfriend to even speak to her.

Roger Ebert wrote an interesting review on this film, unfortunately, I was nodding along to the majority of his points. Yes, Frankie’s hair is one of the main interesting things in the film. Yes, Morgan is not exactly the hero of the film you’d hope for. Yes, the flow of the production is unusual and yes, the dance number in the bar is atrocious. However, from a none critical minded person’s perspective. The tone of the film, style, and the fact it’s an 80s version of a classic tragedy. Had me interested, I enjoyed the plot regarding the two different lifestyles, because it’s not an uncommon issue in society. This being that people of different backgrounds can have different morals and views on life. The concept of Morgan being the bad boy from a posh school is ironic hilarity. I’d never seen a character like that before, that seemed to both be rejecting his family life whilst relying on it. If guilty pleasures are a thing then this would be one for me, you’d die of shame watching this with other people. But, watching alone you’d be bopping your head to the songs and wishing you could go to that bar they’re in.