Rumble Fish (1983)

The second of Francis Ford Coppola's films based on the popular juvenile novels of S.E. Hinton (the first being The Outsiders), Rumble Fish split critics into opposite camps: those who admired the film for its heavily stylized indulgence, and those who hated it for the very same reason. Whatever the response, it's clearly the work of a maverick director who isn't afraid to push the limits of his innovative talent. Filmed almost entirely in black and white with an occasional dash of color for symbolic effect, this tale of alienated youth centers on gang leader Rusty James (Matt Dillon) and his band of punk pals. Rusty's got a girlfriend (Diane Lane), an older brother named Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), and a drunken father (Dennis Hopper) who've all given up trying to straighten him out. He's best at making trouble, and he pursues that skill with an enthusiastic flair that eventually catches up with him. But it's not the whacked-out story here that matters--it's the uninhibited verve of Coppola's visual approach, which includes everything from time-lapse clouds to the kind of smoky streets and alleyways that could only exist in the movies. The supporting cast includes a host of fresh faces who went on to thriving careers, including Nicolas Cage, Christopher Penn, Vincent Spano, Laurence Fishburne, and musician Tom Waits. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

 Teachers: Not Classroom Friendly
As a junior high teacher, I am pleased to have the film versions of the S.E. Hinton books available to me. They are wonderful follow-up material to round out the week we spend reading a book. Of all that we read, my students most enjoyed "Rumble Fish". Unfortunately, having seen the movie myself the last time when I was in high school and it was a new release, I had forgotten about Coppola trying to make this seem more realistic, more relevant to his target audience. The language was more harsh than I can get away with in a classroom setting, and there is the hinted at textually, but completely superfluous quasi-graphic sex scene. Not much for an adult, not too harsh for a kid going to the theatre with friends, but completely inappropriate in the classroom. Bought it, previewed it, couldn't show it. Good movie, worth watching and owning, but teachers beware: Not Classroom Friendly. March 30, 2008

 Wonderfulll.
Probely the best movie by SE Hintons books Yes?
Matt Dillon = Cutie ;D
YeahYeahYeah
Buyyy it!
You'll fall in love witttth tha fighting &
cuteness Matt Dillon brings.

Love how it's filmed.
almost as good as Requiem For A Dream filming.Requiem for a Dream (2000 Film) February 9, 2008

 Sick freakin movie!!
I am a big movie-buff, and I had never heard of this movie until flipping through the HBO channels by chance one day. Usually HBO rotates the same movies over and over and plays them over and over throughout the course of a year in intervals, yet I had never seen this movie on TV. i caught it half way thru and decided I must see the rest so I was glad to see it was pretty cheap on amazon. I picked it up and watched the whole thing and have come to the conclusion that this is one of the most underated movies of the 80s. Matt Dillon and Mickey Rourke really shine in this dark and dreary film about a little brother casted in the shadow of his legendary street gang older brother, The Motorcycle Boy. You'll notice a lot of familiar faces who look very young, one of the earliest movies I've ever seen Lawrence Fishburne (Matrix Trilogy) in, known as "Larry Fishburne" during this time in his career. If you liked the Outsiders then def rent this or even buy it. January 26, 2008

 very good movie
bought after son read the book for school he loved it and watches it over & over. January 21, 2008

 blah
For all the powerfull actors in this movie it just did not make it for me January 18, 2008

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