hollywood_jack Francis Ford Coppola made two separate films based on the novels of S. E. Hinton, The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. While both have an impressive visual style, and an amazing cast of then up and comers, Rumble Fish is the film I go back to. For years I thought this film was just a movie that my dad and I really liked and nobody else remembered. So I was super happy to see it get the Criterion Collection treatment. Mickey Rourke is an actor I have long been a fan of, and this is one of his finest performances.

Scott LeBrun Rusty James (Matt Dillon) is an aimless teen aged tough who lives in the shadow of an older brother (Mickey Rourke). The older brother is a legend in his own time, known only by his nickname, "The Motorcycle Boy". More than anything, Rusty James would like to emulate his cooler-than-thou sibling, who never has felt completely comfortable about his reputation.This was the third S.E. Hinton adaptation for young actor Dillon, who'd previously performed in "Tex" and "The Outsiders". It was the second for master filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who had just worked with Dillon on "The Outsiders", and who ported over a number of the creative talent from that film. Coppola wrote the screenplay, with author Hinton (she also has a cameo as the hooker on the strip), and it's more adult than its predecessors, with a notable abundance of F bombs.Coppola pays tribute to the French New Wave and German Expressionism with this deliberately ultra-stylized production. He had cinematographer Stephen H. Burum shoot this in a high contrast black & white scheme, and creates a plethora of striking imagery. This is all accompanied by an experimental, sometimes percussion-driven music score by Stewart Copeland of The Police. The only problem for this viewer was that all this style tended to distance him from the story, which should have been a more interesting look at the perpetuation of myths, at a dysfunctional family, at loyalty, and at nostalgia. (Rusty James longs for the days of good old fashioned gangs and street fights, before drugs took over.)Most actors here do a creditable job. Both Dillon and Rourke are well cast, and ably supported by Diane Lane as a fed up girlfriend, Vincent Spano, Nicolas Cage, and Christopher Penn as Rusty James' circle of friends, Dennis Hopper as the alcoholic father, Laurence Fishburne as a character named "Midget", intimidating movie tough guy William Smith as a cynical cop, and singer Tom Waits as the diner owner Benny. Coppolas' daughter Sofia (billed as "Domino") gets an "introducing" credit for her role as Lanes' younger sister; character actor Tracey Walter has a bit as an alley mugger.This may not have been totally satisfying for this viewer, but it's still worth a look for fans of the cast, filmmaker, and author.Seven out of 10.

NateWatchesCoolMovies Francis Ford Coppola's Rumble Fish is a gorgeous, star studded look at street hoodlums of the 1950s. It's based on the book by S.E. Hinton, who also wrote The Outsiders, which Coppola adapted as well. This one is a bit of a different animal though. Where one might expect a grounded, topical, straightforward script and narrative, we're instead treated to a lyrical, dense and very almost experimental tone. Characters exude archetypal charisma that is stunningly thrown off balance by the poetic, otherworldly dialogue that's at times almost inaccessible, but always mesmerizing. It's as if The Outsiders went to sleep and had a dream, functioning on a similar yet slightly unconscious plane. Once you get accustomed to such an aesthetic, it's a film to draw you in and give you poetic dreams of your own. A young Matt Dillon plays Rusty Ryan, a naive young upstart with dreams of notoriety in the worn doldrums of his neighbourhood. He lives under the intense reputation of his older brother, known only as The Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke). Rourke is at the peak of his moody blues James Dean phase here, and commands the screen with a laid back abandon and smirking charm. He gets romantically involved with angelic local beauty Patty (young Diane Lane, stunning), and deals with his lovable deadbeat father (Dennis Hopper). The scenes between Hopper, Dillon and Rourke has an easy swing to them, and the three have a lived in dynamic that strengthens their characters, individually and as a group. Rourke is under the suspicious eye of robotic, violent local cop Patterson (William Smith), who is just waiting for him to step out of line. Dillon and his thug pals, including Nicolas Cage, Chris Penn and Vincent Spano, daydream their days away pining for the oft talked about days when gang warfare was commonplace. There's a splendid supporting cast including Laurence Fishburne, Sofia Coppola, Diana Scarwid, and Tom Waits, mumbling sweet existential nothing's to himself in the local diner. The film is shot in wistful black and whites, and exists in a realm of heightened emotions where the characters all seem to be a little larger than life, but nevertheless human. There's a surreality to it though, a free flowing, dreamy vibe of Chrome on asphalt, lazy afternoons and long glances at pretty girls in the window.

jcbutthead86 Francis Ford Coppola's Rumble Fish is an underrated classic that's filled with great direction,amazing performances from the cast,visually stunning cinematography and a masterful music score. It's one of my favorite films and is one of Coppola's best.Based on S.E Hinton's novel of the same name and set in Tulsa Oklahoma,Rumble Fish tells the story about a teen named Rusty James(Matt Dillon),a street fighter who loves gangs and gang fighting who wants to live up his older brother The Motorcycle Boy(Mickey Rourke)who is a legendary gang leader and is respected in his hometown,but has been in California and gone for two months. When Rusty James sees that The Motorcycle Boy is back home Rusty is happy to see him but notices that The Motorcycle Boy behavior is different and they're going to be several events that will change Rusty James' and The Motorcycle Boy's lives forever.In 1983 Francis Ford Coppola directed two classic films that were based on two classic S.E Hinton novels. First it was The Outsiders then later that year it was Rumble Fish,both films which are different in style and tone. Where as The Outsiders was filmed in beautiful Technicolor style photography,Rumble Fish was filmed the opposite way in Black and White. Rumble Fish is one of most the beautiful and visually stunning films I've ever seen and is a perfect companion piece to The Outsiders. If The Outsiders was a film that depicts gangs and gang life that is all over the place,then Rumble Fish gives us a world where gangs and gang life have been destroyed by drugs and there's no hope. Francis Coppola and cinematographer Stephen H.Burum give the film a unique visual style with Coppola being influenced by cinematic styles such as French New Wave,German Expressionism and Film-Noir,using dark and eerie shadows,harsh lighting and moving clouds to tell the story. When you watch the film it's like watching a beautiful dream or a haunting nightmare. RF also has a timeless quality to it as well where you feel like RF could've taken place anytime or anyplace where every decade is represented in this film and we as the viewer can't place RF in any specific period. The screenplay by Hinton and Coppola is well-written and stays true to Hinton's novel and the haunting and metaphoric dialog. The theme of family is a theme that runs through most of Coppola's films and RF is no exception with the relationship between brothers Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy. Despite their differences and ways of thinking you can tell Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy really love and care for each other. We can all relate to Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy in some ways because like Rusty James we all want to live up to the older brother or best friends reputation but it doesn't happen sometimes. The Motorcycle Boy is one of the most unique and mysterious characters in the history of film and literature because we don't much about him only that he was a gang leader,he's color blind and partially deaf,but the whole film is mostly seen through his eyes and MCB knows that being a known and famous can be a good and wonderful thing,but also a burden. Other themes running through out this film is the themes of time and Rumble Fish. Throughout the film they're always shots of different clocks all over and loud ticking suggesting that time is running out on not only Rusty James,but also on The Motorcycle Boy and they have to figure out what to do before time runs out. The Siamese fighting fish(or Rumble Fish,which the title refers to) seen in the movie are the only colors you see in the film and are a metaphor for the teenage characters in the film who fight and try to kill each other. Where the Rumble Fish are stuck in a tank looking to be free from their traps to explore their colors and get to the beautiful ocean,the main characters are stuck in a town looking for a way out and trying to break free. RF is stylish but has a lot of substance. The ending of this film is tragic,sad,yet at the same time hopeful. The ending at the same answers questions,but makes you ask questions at the same time. It's an ending that will haunt you and stay with you after it's the film's over.The whole cast is excellent. Matt Dillon is excellent as Rusty James,bringing intensity,depth,sympathy and fiery anger to the role. Mickey Rourke is brilliant and mesmerizing as The Motorcycle Boy with Rourke bringing a quiet,cool and calm demeanor to the performance. Rourke at his best. Diane Lane gives a terrific and beautiful performance as Patty,Rusty James' girlfriend. Dennis Hopper is wonderful in his small role as Rusty James' and The Motorcycle Boy's alcoholic Father. Diana Scarwid gives a fantastic performance as Cassandra,The Motorcycle Boy's part time girlfriend. Vincent Spano gives an outstanding performance as Steve,Rusty James' best friend. Nicolas Cage gives a memorable performance as Smokey,one of Rusty James' friends. William Smith is sensational as Patterson The Cop. Chris Penn(B.J Jackson),Lawrence Fishburne(Midget),Tom Waits(Benny)and Glenn Withrow(Biff)and Sofia Coppola(Donna) give good performances as well.The direction by Francis Ford Coppola is excellent,with Coppola using great camera angles and giving the film a dark,gritty and surreal atmosphere. Beautiful direction from Coppola.The score by Stewart Copeland is masterful and brilliant and in my opinion one of the best scores in movie history. Copland's score is haunting,dream-like,weird and unforgettable. One of my favorite film scores. I also love the song Don't Box Me In sung by Stan Ridgeway with music by Copeland. A great song that goes well with this great movie.In final word,if you love Art Films,Teen Films,Coming Of Age films,films in general or Francis Ford Coppola,I suggest you see Rumble Fish,an underrated classic that will stay with you after you watch it. Highly Recommended. 10/10.