Wanna know what James Spader and Robert Downey did when they were young?

At first glance "Tuff Turf" is your typical teen movie with all the clichés and flaws in the book. It´s not perfect it´s not even a movie that is remembered by many. It tries to be too many things at once and it goes to considerable lenght to do so. It tries to mimic a John Hughes movie at times but it hasn´t the quality. So why watch it ?

- 80s nostalgia - it screams 80s at every corner. The fashion, the hairstyles, the makeup. I grew up in those times and it brings me right back.
- The music: again very 80s with some great tunes. But it is a crime that the best song of the whole movie is not on the soundtrack and has never been released. If you´ve seen the movie you know what I mean.
- A look into the early careers of Spader and Downey. I love watching these movies before they became a name in the business. I would like to know what they think of them or if they even remember.
- Kim Richards: forgive me for the obvious one but let´s be honest. Haven´t we all had that kind of girl in our life? The hot chick that was out of reach and that we would have liked to conquer ? I had and I´m not ashamed to admit it.

So, forget about the cheesy dialogue, the medicore script and the at best average acting and enjoy it for what it is. And always remember that you don´t know how todays movies will be seen 30 years from now.

**_A troubled new kid on the block has to dance and fight for a girl, not to mention respect_**

A prep from Connecticut (James Spader) starts his senior year at a public school in Los Angeles after his father loses his company and scales down in SoCal. He sets his eyes on the beautiful girlfriend (Kim Richards) of a gang leader (Paul Mones) and all hell breaks loose.

"Tuff Turf" (1985) is similar plot-wise to “The Karate Kid” from the year prior, but isn’t as effective because it tries to be too many things. It’s a musical, a coming-of-age drama, a teen comedy, a romance, an art film and a bloody gang flick all rolled into one.

The first half is an amusing musical with pizazz while the second half turns dramatic and violent. In short, it’s a mishmash of “Grease” (1978), “The Warriors” (1979), “Valley Girl” (1983), “Rumble Fish” (1983) and “The Karate Kid.”

I like it, but the finale in the warehouse devolves into larger-than-life surrealness. Still, the music’s great, Spader carries the movie, Robert Downey Jr. is entertaining in an early role and Kim Richards (child actress from the 70s) is jaw-dropping with her stunning hair.

The film runs 1 hour, 51 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area.

GRADE: B-

1980s were a great time for young actors in Hollywood. So many performers were given vehicles to launch their careers, even if not always of top material, it got them visibility. This was the first lead for James Spader, as the moody new kid in school, in a situation striaght out of "Rebel Without A Cause". The rought boys pick on him, although he is instantly smitten by temptress Kim Richards, who has the longest hair in film history. Another misfit, Robert Downey Jr. befriends him, showing with a comic charm that would become a trait in later years. The movie has a feel that these are kids play acting as adults, but "Rebel" did that that as well. The fashions are on-trend, the frequent music interludes are new wave cool. This is a fun watch, if unremarkable.