This week’s quest through Robert Downey Jr.’s cinematic past leads me to Tuff Turf.
Tuff Turf (1985) is a bit like Pretty in Pink—both are high school movies rife with class issues and pumping synth riffs. But imagine Pretty in Pink set in the Valley. Andrew McCarthy’s character—now the protagonist—has just moved to town. Due to hard times, rather than buying another big, fancy house, they’ve relocated to the wrong side of the tracks. Give him a touch of Kevin Bacon à la Footloose and add a sprinkle of Ferris Bueller can-do, and you have Morgan Hiller (played by James Spader). Molly Ringwald’s character—with a far lesser role—is played by 80s Coke Whore Barbie and dates the leader of a Warriors-style gang. Ringwald and McCarthy fall in love. Class conflict and gang-related violence ensue.
A gem of a scene that I feel compelled to share:
Tuff Turf from glasses glasses on Vimeo.
What, one may ask, is RDJ’s role in this crazy, mixed-up world? To answer, Robert Downey Jr. plays Spader’s sidekick, Jimmy. RDJ commences their friendship during a class filmstrip on the Wild West, offering Spader a switchblade to use during a possible after-school altercation. In exchange, our boy RDJ takes a bullet for Spader during the film’s climax. Ah, what he wouldn’t do.
Additional RDJ highlights:
- Hidden Talent: He plays the drums—and backs The Jim Carroll Band. See below.
- Catch Phrase: “State of the art!”
- Secret Weapon: Boyish good looks.
Until next week, this is the Kich signing off.
