I'd heard about this movie because of the lead actor; it is one of his most talked about films, alongside Dirty Dancing and Ghost, so I was hoping it would be another one I can agree to be recommended, directed by Rowdy Herrington (Striking Distance). Basically, James Dalton (Patrick Swayze) is a professional "cooler" (doorman) working in New York City who enticed to working for Frank Tilghman (Kevin Tighe) at his club, the Double Deuce, in Jasper, Missouri. Frank has plans to invest substantial money into the club to enhance its image, and he needs a first-rate cooler to maintain stability. Arriving in Jasper, Dalton goes to a local farm owned by Emmett (Sunshine Parker) where he pays to rent a room. Frank hands control of all bar operations and hiring to Dalton, who attracts the attention with his quiet demeanour, which contrasts with the rough regulars and rowdy locals. Dalton teaches the staff that they must remain calm and "be nice" to the customers, and only get tough when necessary. Dalton is soon introduced to local business magnate Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), who effectively controls the town. Over time, the nightclub continues to have violent incidents, with Dalton dismissing many unruly employees, some of whom have connections with Wesley. After one particularly violent night where Dalton is forced to physically remove Wesley's henchmen, he suffers a knife wound. He forms a friendship with Dr. Elizabeth "Doc" Clay (Kelly Lynch) at the hospital, which soon develops into a romance. Wesley summons Dalton to his home in a seemingly innocent attempt to make peace, but ultimately reveals his true intentions. Wesley wants Dalton to work for him, and reveals that he knows about Dalton's mysterious past, when he killed a man in Memphis, Tennessee. When Dalton declines, Wesley begins attacking his friends, and interferes with alcohol deliveries to the Double Deuce. Dalton's mentor, aging but legendary cooler Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott), arrives in town following a previous phone call from Dalton and helps him defend a liquor shipment from Wesley's thugs. That evening, local auto parts store owner Red Webster (Red West) is targeted when his establishment is destroyed by a fire after he refuses to give in to Wesley's persistent extortion demands. Dalton, not wanting to make things worse, allows Wesley and his men to enter the club that night. However, Wesley deploys violent ex-con and skilled martial artist Jimmy (Marshall R. Teague), to start a brawl with the Double Deuce bouncers. After a brief conflict with Wade and Dalton, Wesley calls an end to the fight and leaves the club. The next day, Wesley sends one of his thugs to demolish the car dealership of Pete Stroudenmire (Jon Paul Jones) with a monster truck in front of the citizens after he also refuses Wesley's demands. That night, Doc visits Dalton and they make love, after which she tries to convince him to leave town. However, their conversation is interrupted by an explosion at Emmett's house next door. Dalton rescues Emmett from the fire before his house is destroyed. He sees Jimmy fleeing the scene and manages to intercept him. After a vicious fight, Jimmy points a gun at Dalton, but Dalton kills him by ripping out his throat with his bare hand. Doc is horrified by Dalton's brutality and leaves in disgust. The next morning, Dalton receives a threatening phone call from Wesley, who vows to have either Wade or Doc killed by the flip of a coin. After Wesley hangs up leaving the outcome unknown, Wade staggers into the Double Deuce after being badly beaten. Dalton races to the hospital alone to find Doc, who may be in danger, but she refuses to leave with him, repulsed by his increasingly violent nature. Upon returning to the Double Deuce, Dalton finds Wade sprawled out on the bar with a knife stuck in his chest. Enraged, Dalton pulls the knife out and storms out of the bar, determined to settle things with Wesley once and for all. Dalton drives recklessly to Wesley's estate, Wesley's henchmen shoot at the car, but when it crashes, they discover it is empty, and the knife used to kill Wade stuck in the accelerator. Using the distraction, Dalton sneaks onto the estate and eliminates Wesley's henchmen, before confronting Wesley himself. They fight and Dalton gains the upper hand, but he decides not to finish Wesley, he released him and walks away. Wesley seizes the opportunity and reaches for a gun, but is shot to death by Red, Emmett, Pete, and Frank. The men stash the weapons away before the sheriff arrives, and with a surviving henchman, corroborate each other's innocence. Later, Dalton's friend Cody (Jeff Healey) and his band perform at the Double Deuce, while Dalton and Doc enjoy each other's company in a swimming hole. Also starring Julie Michaels as Denise, Keith David as Ernie Bass, and Kathleen Wilhoite as Carrie. Swayze with his mullet is reasonably engaging as the straight-faced softly spoken bouncer, Elliott as his old buddy and mentor, and Gazzara as the gangster villain are good. It is a simple enough story, a renowned tough guy is brought to a bar full of hoodlums to make a more friendly place to go, it has a dumb script full of predictable dialogue, but its numerous fight sequences and violent moments get your attention, overall, it is a silly but at the same time almost entertaining action thriller. Worth watching!
Review of Road House
