Road House (1989)
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A professional bouncer is hired to manage a violent roadside bar in rural Missouri, only to find himself in a deadly conflict with a local crime lord.
The story
James Dalton is a professional bouncer working security for a club in New York City. Known for his stoic and cool-headed demeanor, Dalton is haunted by a past incident involving a man he killed in self-defense. When Frank Tilghman, a businessman, recruits him to take over security at the 'Double Deuce' in Jasper, Missouri, Dalton agrees to manage the dilapidated club's unruly patrons and endemic violence. He takes full authority over the establishment, immediately firing several employees for various infractions. However, his new territory is under the influence of Brad Wesley, a local crime lord who controls the town through intimidation and violence, setting the stage for a tense confrontation.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
James Dalton, a stoic bouncer from New York City, is hired by businessman Frank Tilghman to manage the 'Double Deuce' in Jasper, Missouri. Dalton takes immediate control, firing several employees and establishing a strict regime. He remains unaware that the local crime lord, Brad Wesley, controls the town. After a series of escalating tensions—including a confrontation with Wesley's nephew and the destruction of nearby property—Wesley attempts to sabotage the club's business. Dalton enlists the help of his mentor, Wade Garrett, to defend the establishment. The conflict peaks when a henchman, Jimmy Reno, causes a massive brawl and later destroys a nearby home. Dalton kills Reno in self-defense, an act that shocks his friend Dr. Elizabeth Clay. Wesley then threatens to kill either Clay or Garrett. After a tense standoff where Dalton faces off against Wesley's men, he eventually confronts Wesley at his estate. Dalton defeats Wesley's men and defeats Wesley, but refrains from killing him. In the aftermath, local residents help deal with the remaining threats. The film ends with a peaceful scene of Dalton and Elizabeth at a lake, while the Double Deuce thrives as a refined establishment.
- First release year
- 1989
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Rowdy Herrington
- Writers
- David Lee Henry · screenplay; Hilary Henkin · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Patrick Swayze · James Dalton; Ben Gazzara; Kelly Lynch; Sam Elliott
- Genres
- action; crime
- Themes
- violence; redemption
- Tone and mood
- action; tense
- Premise and plot tags
- underworld; security; small town
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- Critical reception was generally negative, with reviewers criticizing its violent content, although audience polling was more favorable. It has developed a cult reputation and is considered one of the most enjoyably bad movies ever made.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 36 · scale: 100 · review count: 16
- Production trivia
- Swayze performed many of his own stunts.; The film was listed as one of the 100 most enjoyably bad movies ever made.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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