Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Tomboy Blu-ray Movie Review

She can fix cars, but she can't pick men.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 8, 2013

“Tomboy” is a bizarre teen comedy from the 1985, revealing a surprisingly limited sense of humor while sending a confusing message of female empowerment. It’s not stellar cinema by any means, but for those who have an affinity for a simpler time, when guys could get away with being unrepentant cads and donuts were sold on pure sex appeal, might take to the movie’s moderate charms. At the very least, “Tomboy” provides an amiably earnest performance from star Betsy Russell, a bushy-haired actress who manages the screenplay’s unsteady view toward the objectification of women with grace, communicating a fleeting sense of innocence and a more charged tone of exploitation as well. Russell’s fun to watch in this ephemeral feature, with her natural spunk going a long way to even out directorial distraction from Herb Freed, who displays more interest in photographing naked breasts than he does massaging the heartfelt potential of the picture.

A lifelong tomboy, Tomasina “Tommy” Boyd (Betsy Russell) has been raised with a good head on her shoulders, taking an interest in car repair, where she works on her mechanic skills under supportive boss Chester (Richard Erdman). In love with superstar driver Randy Starr (Gerard Christopher, billed here as Jerry DiNome), Tommy is thrilled when auto repair work for race car magnate Ernie Leeds, Jr. (Eric Douglas) brings Starr to the shop, sparking instant chemistry with the magic man. Spending time supporting pal Seville (Kristi Somers) with her acting and dance aspirations, Tommy is afraid to take Randy up on his offer of a house visit, requiring some convincing to make the leap. Bonding over motorcycle racing, the pair kickstart a whirlwind relationship, a tentative union complicated when Tommy’s gifts behind the wheel threaten to tarnish Randy’s brand name, requiring a final race to settle a question of true driving skill, forcing the young woman to dream up something special to prove herself in a man’s world.

There’s not much of a story to “Tomboy,” just an idea concerning the dreams of a young woman who’s always gravitated toward male pursuits, watching the film open on a baseball flashback, witnessing a home run triumph for Tommy, shared with her astronaut father. However, this “girl power” euphoria is short-lived, watching “Tomboy” quickly remind viewers what they’ve paid to see: nudity. After all, even Tommy needs a morning shower.

Attempting to join the growing number of teen sex comedies that populated theater screens in the 1980s, “Tomboy” seems slightly uncomfortable with its exploitative intent. After all, this is a story about a woman battling sexist attitudes to achieve her dreams, constantly bombarded with rude, dismissive comments about her gender as she consistently proves herself capable at everything she attempts. “Tomboy” is also teeming with exposed flesh, with Somers’s entire role devoted to the removal of her top or dancing seductively for the camera. Freed doesn’t have a clue what type of movie he wants to make, so he finds an uncomfortable middle, laboring to build Tommy as a character of self-worth and pluckiness, but not afraid to toss Russell in a creek to land a primo wet T-shirt shot, even asking the actress to disrobe entirely. I’m not sure what audience “Tomboy” is actually for, with females likely turned off by the consistent leering, while males might miss the point of the character once Russell removes her top.

Despite a directorial confusion and a screenplay that rarely follows through on anything it establishes, “Tomboy” is an easy sit due in great part to Russell’s easygoing charisma and fresh girl-next-door screen appeal (her bushy hair only emphasizes the character’s approachability). Her performance is a little on the stiff side, but Russell manages to find a likability that’s completely absent from the rest of the effort, nailing obvious emotional beats with a beaming bluntness that’s enjoyable. Tommy’s one-note and completely irrational, but Russell captures the primary colors with ease, fulfilling her obligation as the focal point of the production.

“Tomboy” is truly a film from the 1980s, supported by a catchy theme song, packed with dance numbers, and climaxing with Tommy’s invention of “electronic propulsion” to help her in the final race -- essentially attaching a home computer to her car. The era also shines blindingly in the characterization of Randy, who’s a total jerk from the Jake Ryan School of Unexpected Louts. Randy’s always quick to dismiss Tommy’s obvious gifts with racing and repair, attempts to unbutton her shirt when he knocks her out during an impromptu boxing match, and seems perturbed with his love when she refuses to watch pornography with him. And he’s the romantic lead of the movie, folks. The dreamboat. It’s pure screenwriting formula keeping this couple together. In the real world, what Randy does to Tommy throughout “Tomboy” could be classified as sexual assault.

Tomboy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded visual (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is taken from the original camera negative, helping "Tomboy" make an interesting impression on Blu-ray. It's a refreshing look at a largely forgotten film, finding the soft cinematography comfortable in HD, with stable and communicative colors that reveal some degree of fade. Hues are especially impressive with automobile paint jobs and costuming, capturing bold pinks and blues that add to the period atmosphere of the feature. Fine detail is adequate with steady grain management, allowing for a few pausable moments with costuming, while facial textures are defined to satisfaction. Some scratches and debris are present, but mostly unobtrusive. Shadow detail is supportive with thick hairstyles and dark interiors, never swallowing frame details. The all-important skintones are natural with some color drain, holding to a pinkish quality that adds to the considerable display of nudity.

Tomboy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix is a little more troublesome, sounding slightly muffled and tinny, without a crispness that matches its revitalized image. Dialogue exchanges are easy to follow, as the sound design of the feature isn't challenging to begin with. However, voices are subdued, requiring a few extra turns of the volume knob to truly make the listening experience satisfying. Hiss and pops are minimal. Soundtrack selections keep in step with the verbal antics, no overcrowding, but they hold to a dullness that's acceptable for the source material, but doesn't register as anything special at home. It's an adequate track, but not polished. Your mileage may vary in terms of responsiveness to such an undemanding mix.

Tomboy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Katrina's Kat's Meow" (4:15, HD) introduces the viewer to Katrina Leigh Waters, our host for the "Tomboy" Blu-ray event. Waters, dressed in a Halloween pit crew costume (complete with inflatable wrench), is here to walk through the cast list, sharing filmographies and assorted trivia, looking to creative excitement about the ensemble and their genre connections. Although the featurette hints at some type of reoccurring presence for Waters, she's silent for the duration of the movie.

• "Outro" (1:30, HD) returns to Waters at the end of the feature, where she thanks us for watching.

• Interview (27:16, HD) with star Betsy Russell is on the scattershot side, but her humor and candor cannot be beat. Talk of "Tomboy" is only a small part of the featurette, with focus placed on the span of her career, including such titles as "Private School" (where Russell bonded with co-star Phoebe Cates, but found male lead Matthew Modine to be unwelcoming, especially with his wife around), "Avenging Angel," and "Out of Control" (the actress details her feud with co-star Sherilyn Fenn). Russell is honest about her Hollywood adventure, which was recently restarted after a stretch of motherhood thanks to the "Saw" franchise. Hearing tales of her early years is appealing, jumping from film to film. However, fans of "Tomboy" might be disappointed to find Russell politely dismissive of her performance, which she found to be lacking. Although she doesn't have an anecdote holstered for every question, Russell is a charmer, grateful for her successes.

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:44, HD) and T.V. Spot (:36, HD) are included.

Tomboy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tomboy" is scattered and illogical, but there's a weird personality to the picture that keeps it entertaining, even making room for motorcycle and car chases to spice up the courtship routine. It's a B-movie with a bright star, and while it won't win any awards for originality or simple storytelling proficiency, it has an easiness about it that tends to mute mounting awareness of its stupidity.