How Did This Get Made? - Episode: Tuff Turf (HDTGM Matinee)
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Hosts: Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, June Diane Raphael
Guest: Laci Mosley

Introduction

In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?", hosts Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and guest Laci Mosley dive deep into the 1985 teen drama "Tuff Turf". Featuring a young James Spader, Kim Richards, and Robert Downey Jr., the film blends high school antics with unexpected levels of violence and questionable plot choices. The trio dissects the film's strengths and glaring weaknesses, offering humorous and insightful commentary throughout.

Movie Overview

"Tuff Turf" centers around Morgan, portrayed by James Spader, a rebellious teenager who moves to Southern California after his family's business collapses in Connecticut. As Morgan navigates his new high school environment, he encounters Frankie (Kim Richards) and gets entangled with a gang led by the menacing Nick (Robert Downey Jr.). The film attempts to blend elements of high school drama with more intense action sequences, resulting in a confusing narrative that oscillates between genres.

Cast Performance

• James Spader as Morgan:
  Paul praises Spader's early performance, noting, "This is the first time that James Spader has top billing. So this is a big movie for James Spader" ([03:09]). However, he expresses confusion over Morgan's character arc, stating, "I couldn't quite tell in that scene. It's like, is it supposed to be like the dad has nothing to say or the writer is like, these are good platitudes" ([26:03]).

• Kim Richards as Frankie:
  Laci comments on Richards' hairstyle, initially mistaking her for another character due to her "novelty long" hair ([04:17]). Later, she appreciates Richards' depth, saying, "I have so much respect for that dad... it's such a good choice for her, and it made me really care about her" ([50:54]).

• Robert Downey Jr. as Nick:
  Jason highlights Downey's "comedic heavy lifting" and chemistry with Spader, though he criticizes the lack of setup for Nick's eventual rescue of Morgan, stating, "I would have loved it more if those had been established better" ([54:12]).

Plot Analysis

The hosts identify significant plot inconsistencies and tonal shifts that undermine the film's credibility:

• Violence vs. High School Drama:
  Jason notes, "Once I realize people can be shot, you're like, I don't know if this is a teen movie or something else" ([35:08]). Paul adds, "This movie is like that heightened quick. We did we get out of the fun High school immediately" ([37:39]).

• Character Motivations and Development:
  The trio questions Morgan's motivations, especially his seemingly indifferent reaction to his father's shooting:

  • Paul: "James Spader... is truly unmoved by his father being shot taking multiple times" ([34:04]).
  • Jason: "She is having a complete emotional arc based on the events... he is completely disconnected" ([63:26]).

• Logical Inconsistencies:
  Concerns are raised about Morgan's ability to thwart the gang's plans without consequences, and the lack of follow-up after significant events:

  • Paul: "Why does the brother not help more? It seems that the brother is doing well" ([56:02]).
  • Jason: "I can't figure that out" regarding why Nick isn't detained longer ([53:49]).

Notable Scenes

1. Opening Robbery:
   The gang's attempt to rob a man is criticized for being overly complicated and poorly executed:

   • Jason: "So the split is gonna be very unsatisfying" ([12:00]).
   • Paul: "They had worked out so much that everybody had a role. And so they all had to like nod and be like, okay, now you go" ([12:25]).

2. Morgan's Vigilante Moment:
   Morgan's impromptu heroics are likened to a "happy Batman" cliché but are marred by awkward execution:

   • Paul: "He's like a happy Batman... grabs a spray paint can, spray paints all the attackers, unarms them" ([08:24]).
   • Laci: "I just wanna see him beat their asses, but every time he gets like one step ahead, he gets caught and just beat down" ([38:56]).

3. Music and Concert Scenes:
   The film's incessant musical interludes are both praised and panned:

   • Jason: "The songs are shot cool... the soundtrack is great" ([89:39]).
   • Paul: "We cut to a live band dance sequence... and how they keep clipping between high-octane scenes and musical numbers feels jarring" ([87:35]).

4. Final Warehouse Fight:
   The climax in the warehouse where Morgan seemingly kills Nick is critiqued for its abruptness and lack of resolution:

   • Paul: "Why can't James Spader save the day? I want him... I don't feel triumphant that he kills this kid" ([59:16]).
   • Jason: "Once I realize... he's a psychopath killer who has... you're like the dissonance between, wait, I thought these were kids" ([57:47]).

Critical Insights

• Tone and Genre Confusion:
  The movie struggles to balance its high school drama with unexpected violence, leading to a disjointed viewing experience. The hosts agree that this lack of consistent tone is a primary reason the film is considered "bad."

• Character Depth and Development:
  While James Spader's and Robert Downey Jr.'s performances are highlighted as strong, their characters lack sufficient development to justify their actions, especially Morgan's detached response to traumatic events.

• Production Choices:
  Decisions like Kim Richards' exaggerated hairstyle and the inconsistent lighting in scenes are pointed out as distractors that detract from the film's overall quality.

• Box Office Performance vs. Legacy:
  Though "Tuff Turf" achieved modest box office success, its legacy is marred by the aforementioned issues, making it a prime example of an 80s film that didn't quite hit the mark despite a talented cast.

Conclusion

"Tuff Turf" serves as an intriguing case study in how blending genres without a clear vision can lead to a disjointed and underwhelming film experience. While it boasts a noteworthy cast and a catchy soundtrack, the movie's inconsistent tone, flawed character development, and plot inconsistencies prevent it from achieving its potential. The hosts appreciate moments of genuine effort but ultimately question how the film managed to gain any commercial success, aligning perfectly with the podcast's mission to celebrate and dissect "the very best of the worst" movies.

Notable Quotes:

1. Paul Scheer ([03:09]): "This is the first time that James Spader has top billing. So this is a big movie for James Spader."
2. Laci Mosley ([04:17]): "I was worried about it. It was such a disgusting length."
3. Jason Mantzoukas ([12:00]): "The split is gonna be very unsatisfying. Each of them's walking away with maybe five bucks."
4. Paul Scheer ([26:03]): "I couldn't quite tell in that scene. It's like, is it supposed to be like the dad has nothing to say or the writer is like, these are good platitudes."
5. Jason Mantzoukas ([57:47]): "It's really like the movie is very bifurcated in that sense because it is like up tempo new wave dance. This is a dance scene..."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the main discussions, insights, and critiques from the "Tuff Turf" episode of "How Did This Get Made?", providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.