Rumble Fish [1983]

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 stylised 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

---

Customer reviews

review by: homopromos date: 2008-11-26 rating:
Style over content
No need to go into the plot, which is covered by other reviewers. No need to point out the superlative performances by Matt Dillon as the hero-worshipping Rusty James (always called RustyJames, never by his first name) and Mickey Rourke as the enigmatic Motorcycle Boy. Dillon's bruised beauty is hypnotic, and comparisons with James Dean, and Brando in The Wild One The Wild One [1954] are inevitable. Rourke is equally haunting because he is so quiet, so still, so deliberate. Career bests for both of them.

What irritates me about the film is the way the self-consciously arty Direction by Coppola gets in the way of telling the story. Endless shots of darkening skies, deep-focus compositions which draw attention to their own beauty and away from the characters. The symbolism is laid on with a trowel. The one trick which does work is the use of spot colour for the Siamese Fighting Fish (the Rumblefish of the title) in an otherwise Black and White movie. But again Coppola has to nudge us: the fish fight, says Rourke, because they don't have space - a metaphor for the stunted lives of small-town American youth; Motorcycle Boy has to free them in the same way he frees RustyJames by giving him his motorbike and saying, Ride to the Ocean.

The film tries hard to match the resonances of the 50s classics of teenage rebellion. But tries is the operative word.

---

review by: date: 2008-08-29 rating:
Fantastic cinematography
Rumble Fish is something of an undiscovered gem (not often shown on TV, but loved by those that have seen it)

The story isn't terribly original and follows similar lines to 50s teen movies such as Rebel Without A Cause (think alienated youths, alcoholic parents, knife fights, seedy pool halls, biker gangs etc)

But what makes this film special is the incredible cinematography. Almost every frame could be frozen and put on your wall (it really is amazing)

Add to that some very good acting, plus a real sense of atmosphere and style and you have a very good film, that you can watch over & over again.

The film is almost entirely shot in B&W (but there are just a few brief splashes of colour) This is partly, to evoke a 1950s feel, but also because Rourke's character is colour blind.

The picture has a very slight grain & mild green hue, but this again is intentional. Overall the picture quality is good, with solid black levels and no dirt or scratches.

The soundtrack also dips in out & out, to show how Rourke's character hears things (he's partially deaf as well) But overall sound quality is very good (no hiss or crackles)

The 5.1 mix doesn't have a great deal happening in the rear speakers, but there is some left/right action and a good deep bass. The music is effective and adds to the atmosphere.

If you have never seen this & enjoy 50s style films (or films that are a little different) then I strongly recommend giving this a try.

---

review by: date: 2008-05-04 rating:
A cinematic experience
Mickey Rourke, Dennis Hopper, Matt Dillon and Nic Cage all play there part in making this one of the coolest films i have ever seen. All the actors, although Rourke is curiously compelling, are over shadowed by Francis Ford Coppella's direction. Black and white, time-lapse skies and superbly crafted scenes make this film unforgettable and avidly watchable. The music score is also brilliant, unique and equally unforgetable. Watch it, buy it and enjoy...

---

review by: brendoclarke date: 2008-03-14 rating:
Heavily medicated
This peculiar 1983 Coppola black and white movie was a box office flop but has it has come to develop a cult following over the years.
This `art film for kids' is as pretentious as it is pretty. Rumble Pish is a mediation about family ties, and brother worship between Rusty James (Dillion) and Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke).
It consists of gorgeous scenes, some strange angels, muggy sounds, and loaded with references to `On the Waterfront' and `Rebel without a Cause'.

The problem here is the clunky script which is weighed down by heavy metaphors like the red and blue fighting fish of the title, spoiled the cinematography, and the acting is so hammy that bacon sandwiches should sue.

However, Tom Waits is a revelation as the mumbling Café owner/soothsayer. The soundtrack by Stewart Copeland is great. I'd recommend this movie if you are heavy medicated.




review by: mrzzyzzy date: 2007-08-14 rating:
Love Rumblefish
Beautiful film. I disagree about the last reviewer (Jay); the film is about style and substance; you have to see past the style to see the real substance in it.

---

Similar products

Drugstore Cowboy [1989]
Repo Man [1984]
Apocalypse Now [1979]
Angel Heart [1987]
Angel Heart - Special Edition

---

Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Crime, Thrillers & Mystery . All Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 18
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1980 - 1989
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Actors . Ford, Glenn
Video . Video . Categories . Drama . General
Video . Video . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)

---