Okay, settle in, grab your Tab cola, and let's rewind the tape to 1983. Forget the polished megastar for a second. Picture this: a fresh-faced, almost impossibly earnest Tom Cruise, not yet sliding across floors in his tighty-whities, but instead desperately trying to shed his virginity south of the border. That’s the curious core of Losin' It, a film that arrived just months before Risky Business launched Cruise into the stratosphere, making it a fascinating, sometimes cringey, but undeniably compelling artifact of early 80s teen angst and hormonal overdrive. It’s the kind of movie you might have rented on a whim, lured by the familiar promise of raunchy comedy, only to find something... well, slightly different simmering beneath the surface.
### Tijuana Troubles and Teen Terrors
The setup is classic Reagan-era teen flick fuel: four high school buddies – the comparatively level-headed Woody (Tom Cruise), the volatile Dave (Jackie Earle Haley, already showcasing that intensity we’d see later), the smoother Spider (John Stockwell), and Woody’s younger brother Wendell (John P. Navin Jr. tagging along) – embark on a road trip from L.A. to the chaotic streets of Tijuana. Their mission? The age-old cinematic quest to lose their virginity before graduation looms. Standard stuff, right? But Losin' It throws a curveball by adding Kathy (Shelley Long, in a surprisingly vulnerable turn away from her Cheers persona which debuted the previous year), a distraught woman fleeing a collapsing marriage who hitches a ride with the boys, adding an unexpected layer of adult melancholy to their juvenile escapades.
This isn't quite the non-stop gag-fest of Porky's, though it certainly has its share of crude moments and stereotypical depictions that scream "early 80s." What sets it apart, slightly, is the undercurrent of desperation and the surprisingly grim atmosphere of its Tijuana setting. This isn't just a party town; it feels genuinely seedy and dangerous, a choice that gives the film a unique, slightly uncomfortable edge compared to its peers. You can almost smell the cheap tequila and desperation. And speaking of authenticity, here’s a fun fact: while set in Tijuana and Mexicali, the production primarily used Calexico, California, as a stand-in. Apparently, recreating the border town chaos stateside was deemed easier – or perhaps safer – than filming extensively on location, though some scenes were reportedly shot in Mexicali itself. The $7 million budget (around $21 million today) likely played a role in these logistical decisions.
### Before They Were Stars (and Behind the Camera)
Watching Cruise here is a trip. You see flashes of the megawatt charisma, the focused intensity, but it's raw, unrefined. He's playing 'the nice guy', caught between wanting to score and genuinely caring about the troubled Kathy. His chemistry with Shelley Long is surprisingly effective, lending the film its few moments of genuine emotional weight. Jackie Earle Haley, however, often steals the show with his portrayal of Dave's simmering rage and insecurity – it’s a performance that feels less like typical teen comedy relief and more like a genuinely troubled kid about to snap. It's potent stuff, hinting at the dramatic chops that would later earn him an Oscar nomination for Little Children (2006).
But perhaps the most mind-bending piece of trivia surrounding Losin' It involves the man behind the camera. This raunchy, uneven teen comedy was directed by none other than Curtis Hanson. Yes, the same Curtis Hanson who would later give us the sophisticated neo-noir masterpiece L.A. Confidential (1997), the gritty hip-hop drama 8 Mile (2002), and the slick thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992). Seeing his name on this feels like finding out Martin Scorsese directed a lost episode of Saved by the Bell. While Losin' It lacks the polish and thematic depth of his later work, you can perhaps see faint glimmers of his interest in characters operating on the fringes and navigating morally ambiguous situations, even amidst the cheap gags about Mexican pharmacies and brothels. It’s a testament to his journey as a filmmaker, proving everyone has to start somewhere.
### More Than Just Cheap Laughs?
Let's be honest, Losin' It isn't a lost classic. The humor often lands with a thud, relying on stereotypes and situations that feel dated even by 80s standards. The plot meanders, and the tonal shifts between broad comedy, sudden violence, and attempted pathos can be jarring. Remember that feeling when the tracking on the VHS tape would go wonky, making the picture swim in and out of focus? That’s kind of what watching Losin' It feels like sometimes – you're never quite sure what movie it wants to be.
Yet, there's an undeniable fascination here. It captures a specific, less-romanticized view of the teenage "coming-of-age" quest. The desperation feels real, the friendships have moments of authenticity, and the Tijuana setting lends it a unique, gritty flavour absent from many of its contemporaries set in suburban America or summer camps. It’s a snapshot of actors on the verge of stardom (Cruise, Long) and one already demonstrating formidable talent (Haley), all under the guidance of a director destined for far greater things.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 5/10
Justification: Losin' It earns a 5 primarily for its value as a historical curiosity and time capsule. The pre-superstardom performance from Tom Cruise, the intense work by Jackie Earle Haley, and the surprising directorial credit for Curtis Hanson make it fascinating viewing for retro film buffs. The gritty Tijuana atmosphere and Shelley Long's subplot add unexpected elements that lift it slightly above generic teen fare. However, the often crude and dated humor, uneven tone, meandering plot, and reliance on stereotypes prevent it from scoring higher. It's a flawed film, often awkward, but its unique context and cast save it from being entirely forgettable.
Final Thought: This flick is like finding an old photo of your coolest friend during their incredibly awkward phase – endearing, slightly embarrassing, but essential to understanding how they became who they are. A must-see? Maybe not. A fascinating pitstop on the road to 80s stardom? Absolutely.