Dudes (1987)

This punk-rock road movie revolves around two friends – spiky-haired New York punk Grant (Jon Cryer from Pretty in Pink) and mohawked ‘Biscuit’ (Daniel Roebuck from River’s Edge) – seeking revenge against some redneck bikers over the murder of their buddy, Milo (Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame), while they were road-tripping across the country from New York to California in a Volkswagen Beetle.

The local sheriff says, “This wouldn’t have happened if you looked like normal folk”. But rather than take the law’s advice to get out of town, Grant decides to track down the man who offed their pal.

After another violent run-in with the bikers – led by murderous maniac Missoula (Lee Ving, the vocalist of Los Angeles-based hardcore punk band Fear) – the boys are taken in by attractive ruralite Jessie (Catherine Mary Stewart), who teaches them the finer points of horseback riding and gunplay.

With her help – and some divine visions – Biscuit and Grant transform into Western-fashioned heroes. They head out behind the wheel of a dusty pink convertible with steer horns on the grill; the trunk packed with snacks and firearms.

A shootout lands the boys in jail opposite the town drunk. Biscuit makes a reference to the Dead Kennedys, to which the wino replies, “The Kennedys are dead? What a bummer!”

In a shotgun jailbreak finale, scores are settled, and desert justice reigns.

The mix of comedy, drama, Western and action-adventure is not entirely successful, but the soundtrack is great (if you like 80s music).

Grant
Jon Cryer
Biscuit
Daniel Roebuck
Milo
Flea
Missoula
Lee Ving
Blix
Billy Ray Sharkey
Wes
Glenn Withrow
Logan
Michael Melvin
Sonny
Marc Rude
Jessie
Catherine Mary Stewart
Witherspoon
Cal Bartlett
Daredelvis
Pete Willcox
Hezekiah
Vance Colvig Jr.
Rhatigan
Ancel Cook
Watts
Wycliffe Young
Laughing Bear
Red Wing

Director
Penelope Spheeris