FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

brchthethird RUMBLE FISH is probably one of the less-seen films in Francis Ford Coppola's oeuvre, but I found it to be an eminently watchable, artsy gem that has a great sense of mood and style. The story revolves around Rusty James (Matt Dillon), a troubled teenager who finds it difficult living up to the reputation of his smarter older brother (Mickey Rourke). The main message I took from the film is that we too often look up to people for the wrong reasons, or idealize them without having a true sense of who they are. RUMBLE FISH explores youth through a dystopian lens, and Coppola conjures up dreamlike, occasionally borderline surreal, imagery to escort us through Rusty James' world. The film is in black and white, with a few instances of color for emphasis. Stylistically, this was a kind of cross between film noir, WEST SIDE STORY and a Michael Jackson video. In particular, an early fight sequence between Rusty and another character evoked the climactic fight in WEST SIDE STORY. In general, there was this balletic quality to the way the characters moved. When combined with Coppola's eloquent cinematography and an eclectic score, the effect is often hypnotic and always engrossing. That being said, the story itself meanders a bit too much and most of the performances (by young actors) were rather rough around the edges. Of course, part of that could have something to do with how the dialogue was post-synced. But still, RUMBLE FISH ranks pretty high among the most visually interesting films I've ever seen, even if the story and performances leave a bit to be desired.

lasttimeisaw After his illustrious heydays in the 70s, 1980s seems to be a more productive period for Francis Ford Coppola when he delved into more scaled-down projects with more leeway for his artistic creation. RUMBLE FISH is a perfect example of this kind, released back-to-back with Coppola's other film THE OUTSIDERS, both adapted from S.E. Hinton's novel and met with mixed reviews at then. Nevertheless in retrospect, RUMBLE FISH is a sharply glossy achievement whose sterling luster of the colored fish against the canvas of high-contrast Black & White cinematography anticipated masterpieces like SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993, 9/10), and it is also a star-maker for Matt Dillon's bad boy image and etches Mickey Rourke's harrowing force of personality mixed with unfathomable mystique and magnetic sex appeal on the silver screen for eternity. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a 17-year-old Rusty James (Dillon) accepted a rival group's challenge to meet for a one-on-one fight that night. Rusty is from a broken family, his mother left long time ago and his father (Hopper) is an inveterate drunkard. But his idol is his elder brother (Rourke), nicknamed "The Motorcycle Boy", the leader of the gang, but has left without explanation two months ago. Rusty is striving in every way to be like the Motorcycle Boy, who returns during the heat of the fight night, and rescues Rusty from a oozing knife cut. The reunion of the two brothers and their father is genuinely intimate, but soon Rusty detects that his brother is no longer the role model for whom he is intently aping all the way. Without any intention to revive the gang, ignoring his drug-addled girlfriend Cassandra (Scarwid) and obsessed with the Siamese fighting fish in the pet store, the Motorcycle Boy's elusiveness and lethargy critically presages his entrapment in the dead end with no way out. Meanwhile, Rusty has his own mess to deal with, firstly he is expelled from the high school for frequent truancy, soon his girlfriend Patty (Lane) leaves him for his wily friend Smokey (Cage) because of his fooling around in a party, then he and his nerdy friend Steve (Spano) are assailed and mugged in a dark alley, during which there is the sequences of out-of-body experience unexpectedly haul viewers out of the reality the film depicts with a frisson of excitement. After a portentous outing with his brother, underscored by the experimental soundtrack from Stewart Copeland (from THE POLICE), which conspicuously sets up an unresting and fretful atmosphere, after a motorcycle ride, the unavoidable curtain call arrives, the Motorcycle Boy is determined to release the animals in the pet store, especially the fighting fish, and states that he cannot be the brother Rusty persistently wants him to be, his demise is very much preconditioned. Oddly chimes with Rourke's monstrous imagery in the SIN CITY (2005, 8/10) and his unwelcoming sequel, the film is shot in Black & White because of it is projected from the Motorcycle Boy's angle in light of his colorblindness, Rourke is the narcissistic MVP, his soft-spoken tenderness is incongruous with the tough business he is capable of doing, the indulgent close-ups unsparingly zoom in on the actors' youthful countenances, but it is Rourke, whose bleeding handsomeness betrays a pungent tinge of melancholy and disenchantment, which lingers on for a long time. Dillon epitomizes a different kind of beauty, in a simpler and more straightforward form, his chiseled body (more alluring with the cuts) and young-looking cockiness exude with hormones of adolescence, he squanders his youth away but harbors the naive hope for a brighter future in the environs of industrial coldness, he is neither smart nor rebellious enough to be the alpha male, which makes it more harrowing when his fallen idol collapses in front of him like that, Dillon is seething with vim and vigor, fickle but dauntless and eventually he is the one who gets out of the suffocating emptiness and sees the vast sea. Lane, Hopper, Spano and Scarwid all flaunt confidently in their respective function as the superficial girlfriend, the hapless father, the devout friend and the damaged goods, they constitute a stellar supporting ensemble which also includes Cage, Fishburne.,Waits, Penn and a young Sofia Coppola. Last but not the least, it is also an astonishing job done bye the avant-garde framing mechanism, embroiders each shot with an unconventional expressive vibe, the film proves to be a Coppola's overlooked gem needs to stun and shock its new audience.

classicsoncall Cinematically speaking, "Rumble Fish" is dynamic movie making. The crisp black and white photography, creative use of shadows and camera angles, and effective character portrayals make the film a modern day classic. With it's themes of alienation and loneliness it reminds me of 1971's "The Last Picture Show", a truly depressing movie once you delve into it. This movie also detours into the idea of mental illness for one of it's main characters, The Motorcycle Boy portrayed by Mickey Rourke. There are a number of incidents that take you in that direction, beginning with MB's first appearance on screen when he drives his motorcycle into the street punk getting beat up by brother Rusty James (Matt Dillon). Later on, Father (Dennis Hopper) opines that an acute perception can make you crazy, hinting at MB's outlook on life and how he was affected by seeing their mother out in California while Rusty presumed she was dead.Another surprising element of the story, to me at least, was the treatment of life after death showing Rusty James' spirit floating away after getting clubbed by the street thugs using the tire iron. The idea of one's spirit or ghost being able to observe what's happening around them after death isn't so novel any more, but once again, three decades ago putting this on film was something of a break through. Today there are many accounts of individuals who have experienced these sorts of phenomena.I also liked the idea of tying in the film's black and white style with Motorcycle Boy's color blindness. It allowed for the few brilliant flashes of color that accentuated the movie's title, as the only objects of color were the Siamese fighting fish, the rumble fish. Setting them free was a symbolic way for Motorcycle Boy to show his brother what he had to do to if he was to save himself from the boredom and monotony of his own life. The film is loaded with nuances like this that become more evident with repeat viewings. I watched the picture a couple times back to back and was surprised to acquire so much additional understanding the second time around. It's as if I gained an acute perception of what the writer and director were trying to say without actually going crazy.

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.