Tuff Turf

1985
R
1h 52m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

6.2K

YOUR RATING

James Spader, Kim Richards, and Paul Mones in Tuff Turf (1985)

The new kid in school must battle a gang of street toughs after stealing the gang leader's girl.

Play trailer2:39

1 Video

54 Photos

Action Comedy Drama

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

6.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Videos1

Trailer 2:39

Official Trailer

Photos54

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
First theatrical feature film in top billed role for actor James Spader,

Goofs
The clock behind Jimmy reads 12:40 in the hallway. It's already been established that this is Morgan's first morning at school.

Quotes
Ronnie: Can you believe this place? There's not a zit in the house!

Crazy credits
During 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 versions
On 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.

Connections
Featured in The Cinema Snob: Children of the Corn (1984) (2023)

Soundtracks
Tuff Turf
Written by Jonathan Elias & Doug Hall
Performed by Southside Johnny Lyon (as Southside Johnny)
Published by Chilly D. Music and Music Design Publishing

User reviews57

Review

Featured review

7/10

Stuck in the '80s but lots of fun nonetheless

This one is a real relic of the '80s--the hair! The shoulder pads! The sweaters folded casually over the shoulders! The movie cheerfully steals from "Rebel Without a Cause" and winks at "The Warriors" and "Footloose" as well. Kim Richards is somewhat miscast as a "tough" girl but gives a very game performance and looks gorgeous as always. James Spader also gives a sincere performance, which couldn't have been easy with some of these scenes (he is forced to serenade Kim Richards on the piano). The best scenes, IMO, are the country club montage (Olivia Barash blithely asking the rich girls "You do swallow, right?"), and when Richards and Spader finally hit it off at a club. How do we know this? Because Richards breaks into a perfectly choreographed (albeit spontaneous) dance number! Truly enjoyable if you just let yourself do so.