Movie Review: Roadhouse
Roadhouse is peak 80’s action cinema. It has everything you ask for in the genre. You get top form Patrick Swayze as a proper leading man. He talks the talk and walks the walk. You get great music and atmosphere in a charming small town setting. You get a movie that revels in its “R” rating with bloody fun action scenes, gorgeous ladies, and enough drinking, smoking, cussing, and fan service to put some hair on your chest.
It’s an unpretentious story about a legendary ‘Cooler’ (bar bouncer) named Dalton here played to perfection by Swayze. He gets an offer to manage a rowdy bar in Missouri and shenanigans ensue. The plot complicates a bit at the 30 minute mark with the introduction of the local old money rich asshole antagonist. Rounding out the cast is Dalton’s mentor, Wade, played wonderfully by Sam Elliot, and the love interest Elizabeth, played by the talented and gorgeous Kelly Lynch.
Dalton’s introduction in the first scene of the film is a great example of how to subvert expectations in a productive way that builds character. We see him about to get into a stereotypical bar fight with some drunk jerk. We’ve seen this a million times in movies with characters like Wolverine. Yet here, Dalton, even after being insulted and injured, stays calm and avoids violence, tricking the guy into getting booted from the bar. In a matter of seconds we understand several things about this protagonist. He is stoic, strong, capable, but also smart and prefers to defeat his enemies without throwing a punch.
This is precisely why I like his character. Dalton represents a very positive vision of masculinity. He is patient, self-controlled, but also very blunt and forthright. He doesn’t waste words. He is incredibly skilled but never in any hurry to prove himself to anyone. Dalton uses his strength to make money but also to protect people. He isn’t controlled by his emotions, isn’t swayed by seductive women, doesn’t pick fights carelessly even when he knows he can win. He is the opposite of the irresponsible rogue figure from Five Easy Pieces, a man who in spite of his talent and intelligence is aimless, controlled by whims and carnal, self-serving destructive relationships with women.
Young men today could learn a bit from how Dalton carries himself. When the beautiful doctor Elizabeth falls for him she says, “I know you’re not a nice guy…” and he doesn’t correct her. Positive masculinity isn’t about being “nice.” It’s about confidence, consistency, directness, and accountability, all attributes Dalton embodies. The message is bolstered by a mostly good script with some good one-liners (“Pain don’t hurt”) and solid directing. Dalton’s speech to the other bouncers remains not only some of the best practical life and work advice you’ll ever hear in a movie but also a timeless example of a perfectly crafted standalone scene.
The first half of the movie is pretty perfect thanks to Swayze’s performance and a number of memorable scenes at the ‘Double Deuce’ bar, itself a great setting and ‘character’ in its own way. There were a couple of great musical numbers. The costume and set design did a fantastic job of taking you into the down and out ‘white trash’ world of the South. You wonder if those sorts of rowdy smoky dive bars with nightly fights and table dancing girls are as prevalent today in the age of smartphones. If TikTok is any indication the answer is likely, “yes” but they aren’t nearly as charming as they used to be.
It’s also worth calling out the great supporting female characters. Roadhouse is obviously a film catering to men, but the ladies here aren’t just eye candy. Carrie Anne the bartender is a fun goofy side character. Denise, the sultry blonde seductress serving as the villain’s girlfriend has her own dark character arc. Liz, Dalton’s love interest, is also one of the better 80’s leading ladies. She’s a doctor with her own life story and goals and comes to fall for Dalton quite naturally after he proves himself to be better than the other meatheads in town.
The film’s biggest weakness is its second act. The last fifteen minutes in particular are really rushed. Things escalate quickly with multiple character deaths, explosions, shootouts, and an appropriately cheesy ending. The action itself is fine it just isn’t paced as well and doesn’t feel like it organically follows from the movie’s first part. The villain is also not very memorable. He has two decent scenes but is otherwise not much of an interesting threat.
Roadhouse is a cut above the typical 80’s action movie. It’s a bit smarter, a bit more stylish, and overall a bit more memorable. It’s not a masterpiece but it is iconic in its way and a classic that still holds up. It even has a Keith David cameo. I’m actually disappointed to hear it is being remade with Jake Gyllenhaal (even though he is one of my favorite actors) because really it just doesn’t need it. The original is still not only entertaining but in its best moments genuinely inspirational.
Grade: B+
