Road House (1989)

Genre: Action

Directed by: Rowdy Herrington

Cast: Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara, Kelly Lynch

Running time: 114 minutes

The owner of a roughneck bar, The Double Deuce, in Missouri, wants to clean up the place before investing money in it. So, he hires James Dalton, a pro cooler, to be at the head of his staff of bouncers. After coming to town, Dalton soon realizes that things are as rough inside the bar as they are outside and he will have to contend with rich man Brad Wesley, who has a stranglehold on the whole town.

Let’s get things straight about this movie’s bad reputation with critics. Is this a great film? It certainly is not. The acting is often bad, some of the action scenes are totally unrealistic, much of the dialogue is bad and the ending is as corny and cheesy as they come. Yet, this flick has some charm. It is a guy movie. Lots of nudity (much of it female, except for a backside shot of Swayze), lots of fighting and some very good music, provided by The Jeff Healy Band; so, in spite of all its flaws, I cannot help enjoying myself when I watch this.

There are rumors of a remake starring Ronda Rousey, and I will be curious to see that if it sees the light of day. Let’s hope for some nudity on the Rowdy one’s part.

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