Roadhouse - 1989

If you grew up with basic cable in the 90's you might have seen this movie on TNT or TBS many times. I have a feeling Ted Turner was a fan. So you've got Patrick Swayze in his post-Dirty Dancing, mullet wearing, super fitness, late 80's glory, a dive bar in a back water Missouri town, protecting the  bar and ultimately the whole town from cookie cutter bad guy Brad Wesley, played by Brad Gazzara.

Swayze is Dalton a notorious night club cooler (think super bouncer designed to diffuse the situation rather than escalate) wooed to the little town of Jasper Missouri to work at the Double Deuce so the owner can put a lot of money into it taking it from roadside dive to a upscale club. We are quickly introduced to Brad Wesley who "runs" the town or at least thinks he does. Millionaire bully who has his hand in everyone's business and extorts "protection" money from them. You can see how this will not sit well with our hero. Armed with his "Be Nice" mantra he quickly realizes, "It will get worse, before it gets better".



The rest of the cast is a motley crew of  90's era, almost-stars. The lovely and talented Kelly Lynch, is Doc. His frequent fights land him in the ER to get stitched back together. She becomes Dalton's love interest, but also the niece of Wesley. The wrestler Terry Funk shows up (seriously),  Jeff Healey has a few spoken lines but mostly sings. The monster truck Bigfoot has a cameo (even more seriously). A bit part by Keith David. And Wade Garrett, aging Cooler himself and mentor to Dalton played by the always wonderful Sam Elliot. This role was made for Elliot and he is amazing as you might guess,

While the first half of the movie is violently fun the second half takes an odd turn towards vigilante justice in small town America. Its good but a little disjointed at parts. Lynch and Swayze have a couple of steamy scenes. One to Otis Redding; which if your gonna do it, do it to Otis. All I'm saying is put the kids to bed with this one. It features language, lots of violence, a love scene, and some boobs.

It the most fun you'll have on a Saturday night. You'll hear some music, witness some bar fights and see a man restore order to a small town. What more could you ask for out of your movies. I ask that you give this one a try.

And consider it fair warning; if you like this film, great. Do not, I repeat Do not, watch Roadhouse 2.

Dalton, taking care of business during the climax of the movie.

Totally available on-demand and from digital rental outlets. Possibly in the $5 bin in Walmart too.