Tuff Turf

Tuff Turf is a 1985 American crime drama film directed by Fritz Kiersch, starring James Spader and Kim Richards.

The film revolves around Morgan Hiller (Spader), a well-to-do Connecticut teenager who moves to Los Angeles after his father loses his job. Feeling out of place and disillusioned by his new surroundings, Morgan quickly finds himself clashing with a local gang leader, Nick Hauser (Paul Mones). The conflict escalates as Morgan becomes involved with Nick's girlfriend, Frankie Croyden (Richards), leading to a series of confrontations and ultimately a violent showdown.

Tuff Turf explores themes of class conflict, teenage rebellion, and the struggle for identity in a new environment. The film is often categorized as a teen drama with elements of action and romance. Despite not being a major critical or commercial success upon its initial release, it has garnered a cult following over the years, particularly for its depiction of 1980s youth culture and Spader's performance. The soundtrack, featuring songs by Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, also contributed to the film's lasting appeal. The title, Tuff Turf, refers to the specific territory and social landscape where Morgan must learn to navigate and assert himself.