Road House (1989)
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43% of critics liked it
(28 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(58,715 ratings)
Love, treachery, and broken furniture are the hallmarks of this rollicking action drama. Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has a Ph.D., but rather than make a living teaching Socrates at some university, he's opted to become a top-drawer "cooler" -- an expert barroom bouncer who can break up… More Love, treachery, and broken furniture are the hallmarks of this rollicking action drama. Dalton (Patrick Swayze) has a Ph.D., but rather than make a living teaching Socrates at some university, he's opted to become a top-drawer "cooler" -- an expert barroom bouncer who can break up fights without getting himself killed in the process. Dalton is hired to keep the peace at the Double Duce, a rough-and-tumble honky tonk in Jasper, Missouri, where beer-soaked free-for-alls are a nightly event. Dalton is hurt on his first night on the job, and he is patched up by "Doc" Clay (Kelly Lynch), a beautiful woman working as the town's physician. Dalton and Doc immediately hit it off, but Dalton learns that another man, Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), already has his eye on her. Wesley is a man used to getting his way; he's an extortionist and crime boss who has nearly everyone in Jasper under his thumb, and he sets out to teach Dalton a lesson, while Dalton is determined to clean up the town like he breaks up brawls at the Double Duce. Sam Elliott plays Dalton's mentor Wade, and Red West, a one-time member of Elvis Presley's "Memphis Mafia," appears as Webster; Canadian blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healey leads the Double Duce house band. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Rowdy Herrington
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance
- In Theaters
- May 19, 1989 Wide
- Studio
- United Artists
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Eventually it mutates into a paranoid revenge plot that might be called Walking Short.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Its vigilante justice, lawlessness and wanton violence feel ludicrous in a modern setting.
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, Time Out
Mindless entertainment of the highest order.
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Caryn James, New York Times
Road House is much funnier than most comedies, until it turns vile instead of just stupid.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The grotesque soon drowns out the giggles.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Patrick Swayze
as Dalton
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Kelly Lynch
as Dr. Elizabeth "Doc" Clay
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Sam Elliott
as Wade Garrett
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Ben Gazzara
as Brad Wesley
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Marshall R. Teague
as Jimmy
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Julie Michaels
as Denise
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Red West
as Red Webster
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Sunshine Parker
as Emmet
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Jeff Healey
as Cody
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Kevin Tighe
as Tilghman
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Laura Albert
as Strip Joint Girl
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Lisa Axelrod
as Party Girl
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Cheryl Baker
as Well-Endowed Wife
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Christopher Collins
as Sharing Husband
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Keith David
as Ernie Bass
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Ed de Fusco
as Oscar
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Anthony De Longis
as Ketchum
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Bill Dunnam
as Car Salesman
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Tom Finnegan
as Chief of Police
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Mike Fisher
as Bandstand Bouncer
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Terry Funk
as Morgan
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Charlie Hawke
as Heckler
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Kymberly Herrin
as Party Girl
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Roger Hewlett
as Younger
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Susan Lentini
as Bandstand Babe
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Kym Malin
as Party Girl
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Tony Marsico
as Cruzado
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Travis McKenna
as Jack
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Frank Noon
as Barfly
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Dennis Ott
as Bar Character
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Heidi Paine
as Party Girl
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Joey Plewa
as Bandstand Tough Guy
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Tiny Ron
as Mountain
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Kurt James Stefka
as Hank
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Patricia Tallman
as Bandstand Babe
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Meg Thayer
as Party Girl
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Joe Unger
as Karpis
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Christina Veronica
as Strip Joint Girl
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Chino "Fats" Williams
as Derelict
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Michael Wise
as Gawker
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John Young
as Tinker
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Gary Hudson
as Steve
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Kathleen Wilhoite
as Connie
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Christine Anderson
as Party Girl
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Michele Burger
as Strip Joint Girl
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Sheila Caan
as Judy
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Debra Martin Chase
as Party Girl
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Dawn Ciccone
as Steve's Girl
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Lauri Crossman
as Stella
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Terri Lynn Doss
as Cody's Girlfriend (uncredited)
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Pamela Jackson
as Strip Joint Girl
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Bob Jennings
as Bandstand Bouncer
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Jon Paul Jones
as Stroudenmire
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Laura Lee Kasten
as Nurse
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Humberto Larriva
as Cruzado
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Anthony Marisco
as Cruzado
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Daryl Sandy Marsh
as Strip Joint Bartender
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John Oldach
as Bandstand Tough Guy
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Jacklyn Palmer
as Party Girl
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Gonzalo Quintana III
as Cruzado
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Michael Rider
as O'Connor
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Marta Rinchusiuso
as Party Girl
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Marshall Rohner
as Cruzado
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Julie Royer
as Steve's Girl
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Terrance Scott
as Loudmouth
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Lisa Westman
as Party Girl
- Jackie Burch
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Ancel Cook
as Grillman
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Jasae
as Strip Joint Girl
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John Doe
as Pat McGurn
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Aaron Michael Lacey
as Marine
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Sylvia Lee Baker
as Table Dancer



