In 1965, three rambunctious teenagers take off across the border for Tijuana, dead set on a weekend full of partying, prostitutes, and tequila. The clean-cut Woody is on a mission impossible to lose his virginity, but shyness and insecurity stand in his way. The more experienced Spider just wants to watch a donkey show. The sex-obsessed Dave wants to score some Spanish Fly so that he can woo the girls back home. Also along for the ride is Dave's younger brother, whom the older kids tolerate just because he has enough cash to help them make the trip. The adventures and misadventures of these four get off to an unexpectedly quick start when they are joined by a housewife, Kathy, who just wants to cross over into Mexico so that she can get a divorce from her cheating husband.
The 1983 comedic drama,
Losin' It, an early directorial effort from Curtis Hanson, who would later helm the critically acclaimed
L.A. Confidential, is primarily remembered today as a footnote in the resume of Tom Cruise, who portrays the relatable Woody, who starred in
Risky Business and
All the Right Moves the same year, and who would soon be catapulted into superstardom a few years later in
Top Gun. Interestingly enough, John Stockwell, who plays Spider, and Rick Rossovich, who shows up here as a temperamental Marine, respectively appeared in
Top Gun as “Cougar” and “Slider” alongside Cruise's “Maverick.” Jackie Earle Haley, who almost steals the show from his more famous co-star as the Sinatra-wannabe Dave, was fresh off of a memorable turn in
Breaking Away, which is one of my all-time favorite sports films. John P. Navin Jr., who is a trip as Dave's little brother, is mainly recognized today for his role in
National Lampoon's Vacation as Cousin Dale with the collection of nudie books. Of course, Shelley Long, whom you all know from the
Cheers television show, showcases her trademark talent for good-natured physical comedy as the unwitting heroine, Kathy.
Losin' It never goes full-tilt into teen sex comedy territory, although it is frequently dismissed as just one of many early 1980s films in that genre, but it also falls somewhat short of being a coming-of-age story. Despite its inability to commit to a defined tonal structure, however, it succeeds as an entertaining feature with just enough serious friendship interactions and just enough slapstick laughs to keep things interesting. Stereotypes about Mexicans are addressed in an upfront way, but the characters are depicted in a respectful manner, since this movie is more focused on making fun of the reckless Americans who get more than they bargained for when they cross the border just hoping to get their kicks. This one will probably not make anyone's top-tier list of favorite Tom Cruise films, but it's a solid endeavor.
This Kino Lorber Blu-ray sports a good-looking transfer with subtitles and decent audio, but is an otherwise bare bones affair, save for several trailers for similar movies. The main feature is its own reward, though, and, like most of the Kino Lorber Studio Classics output, it's great to see another endearing long lost Saturday afternoon flick hit the high definition format.
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