Movie Review: Body Slam (1986)

Synopsis: Music producer M. Harry Smilac is struggling financially while his lone client, a band known as Kick, remains un-booked. At first, there is no hope for his financial woes but, after a chance encounter with professional wrestler Rick Roberts, he decides to become a manager representing both Rick and his new tag team partner, Tonga Tom. 

Smilac has almost immediate success, especially after bringing his team on the road and pairing them with Kick for a "Rock 'n Wrestling" show. However, his success draws the ire of rival manager Captain Lou Murano, leading to a showdown that pits Roberts and Tom against Murano's world champion Cannibals with the losing manager forced to leave the business.

Who's in it? The movie stars Dirk Benedict, Roddy Piper, Sam Fatu, Lou Albano, Kellie Martin, Tanya Roberts and Barry Gordon.

Review: I forgot to pick out a movie to watch this morning and, with nothing else on top the list as a result, decided to finally take the time to re-watch Body Slam for the first time in literally decades. It's a film I remembered seeing but couldn't remember any details about, including if I even liked the movie. As it turns out, it exceeded my expectations.

On the surface, this movie was pretty much what I would expect to see from an 80s comedy. There's a womanizing "good guy," some over-the-top physical comedy, the occasional homophobic slur and even a cameo appearance by John Astin. The film also has a who's who of 80s wrestling legends throughout, either as supporting actors or as themselves. 

All that said, it did prove to be a film that wasn't anywhere near as predictable as I thought it would be. Smilac (Benedict) was a relatively good guy but also a bit sleazy, which did make me wonder if he had enough character to stay in it for the long haul, or at minimum wonder what event would turn things around for him. Roberts (Piper) and Tonga Tom (Fatu) meanwhile were a likable team but did seem like serious underdogs when up against the Cannibals (Sione Vailahi and Tom Kasat), especially since it wasn't as though they were facing top teams while on their tour.

Of course, movies like this only work if there's a good villain and Murano (Albano basically playing himself) was a solid one. I especially loved how the film made sure to throw in little extras, like him parking in a handicap spot or refusing to sign autographs, just to drive home he was a bad guy.

The movie wasn't perfect. For one, I never saw the point of Roberts' niece, Missy (Martin). She doesn't really do much and there isn't even a backstory about why she's always with her uncle rather than her parents. 

I also just wasn't a fan of the love story between Smilac and Candace (Roberts). I think a lot of the reason for that is, much like Missy, she's just kind of there. She doesn't have any real purpose in the movie other than give Smilac someone to sleep with and the writers didn't even bother giving her much of a personality or backstory. In other words, this film had an opportunity to give us two strong female characters and instead gave us none.

Final Opinion: The movie is 40 years old and gives away its age with some of the dated dialog. However, as far as sports comedies go, I thought it was decent and would say it is worth watching.

My Grade: B

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Here are some reviews of other movies featuring professional wrestling:

Movie Review: Andre the Giant (2018)

Movie Review: The Iron Claw (2023)

Movie Review: Glow: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (2012)

Movie Review: No Holds Barred (1989)