Monday, March 3, 2014

This Coleslaw Archives: Tomboy (1985)



  Movie Review: Tomboy (1985)
By Tucker Battrell

Most would describe movies like Working Girl, G.I. Jane, Thelma & Louise, Steel Magnolias, Beaches and many others as "chick flicks" because they appeal to women and they suck (except Thelma & Louise). Tomboy is not included in this list because it's filled with breasts and is driven by the male desire to see them. Unfortunately this film follows what is one of the stronger female characters to ever grace the screen. Who cares that she was completely artificial and a male fantasy? That's more than I can say for Beaches (except it was completely artificial).
Tommi (Betsy Russell) is a girl. She likes to play sports, ride a motorcycle and works as the best damn mechanic in town. Her friend Seville (Kristi Somers) is a fame-seeking whore who advises Tommi to get a boyfriend because she can't do this boy stuff forever. So Tommi meets and eventually 80s montages her way into the heart of hunky stock car driver Randy Starr (Gerard Christopher). Happily ever after? Not quite, but there's really not much more to it. They have a lover's quarrel and end up racing each other, but that's the most conflict you're going to see.
Along the way Tommi and Seville are chased by a couple of leather jacket-wearing would-be rapists who thoughtfully comment that Tommi's tits are "like the guns of the Navarone". So, that was pretty cool. Tomboy is a fun, trashy eighties movie that doesn't quite reach true classic status, but it's a fun way to waste ninety minutes if you enjoy that sort of thing, or get nostalgic for boners past. There's quite a few boobs (including Tommi's boyfriend) and a car race. Beat that Steel Magnolias!

Grade: F
Entertainment Value: B

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