Rumble Fish

R

Released Oct 21, 1983

1 hr. 34 min.

Drama

List

76%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Disaffected and restless, Rusty James (Matt Dillon) is spoiling for a fight. Abandoned by his mother and living with his alcoholic father (Dennis Hopper), he hangs out with his girlfriend, Patty (Diane Lane), and his similarly aimless friends Midget (Larry Fishburne), Smokey (Nicolas Cage) and B.J. Jackson (Christopher Penn). When his brother, the Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), returns to town, Rusty hopes to gain guidance and wisdom from someone most people think is crazy.

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Critics Consensus

Rumble Fish frustrates even as it intrigues, but director Francis Ford Coppola's strong visual style helps compensate for a certain narrative stasis.

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caTones S

Enjoyed the characters, adored the young Diane Lane in this one. She was such a sweetheart. Matt Dillon was amazing too as was Mickey Rourke. Lots of amazing actors in this movie before they became big which makes this interesting too. The footage of Tulsa was unique giving the visuals a natural vibe. The black and white aspect added noir to this and the dialogues were engaging. This is a movie in my collection and one I watch over and over. The Diane middle finger scene always touches my heart. Her character was so cute.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 01 hour: and 34 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Strong Language Throughout, and Violence/ Gore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/10/23

Full Review

Steve D

Feels like a slightly weaker Outsiders.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/23

Full Review

Shioka O

This is all about visual experience. Score by Stewart Copeland of The Police. I don't think you need to care about acting and story in this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/03/22

Full Review

Casey S

It was an amazing experience

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Yet another unnoticed American classic. This film is incredible piece of art. It's obscure, yet very realistic. An amazing cast and story!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Francis Ford Coppola

Director

Matt Dillon

Rusty James

Mickey Rourke

The Motorcycle Boy

Diane Lane

Patty

Dennis Hopper

Father

Diana Scarwid

Cassandra

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

A myth-infused coming-of-age story that's directed with a grandly imaginative visual repertoire to match.

Jan 4, 2021

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

If Rumble Fish fails as a traditional movie about real people, it is beguiling as an exercise in hallucinatory style.

Dec 11, 2007

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Overwrought and overthought.

Dec 11, 2007

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... Coppola made Rumble Fish in stylized black and white, like a teen noir seen through the eyes of a kid who has mythologized the idea of street gang chivalry to the point that he can’t see the reality through the idealization.

Oct 6, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

If The Outsiders was S.E. Hinton for the masses, then Rumble Fish was seemingly designed with the art-house crowd in mind.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 10, 2022

Full Review

Gena Radcliffe

The Spool

With its long shadows and smoke constantly escaping from trash cans or manholes...the only moments of beauty reserved for reflections of moving clouds in windows and chrome.

Apr 14, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Disaffected and restless, Rusty James (Matt Dillon) is spoiling for a fight. Abandoned by his mother and living with his alcoholic father (Dennis Hopper), he hangs out with his girlfriend, Patty (Diane Lane), and his similarly aimless friends Midget (Larry Fishburne), Smokey (Nicolas Cage) and B.J. Jackson (Christopher Penn). When his brother, the Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), returns to town, Rusty hopes to gain guidance and wisdom from someone most people think is crazy.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenwriter: S.E. Hinton, Francis Ford Coppola
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Zoetrope Studios
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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