Rumble Fish

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Rumble Fish

R

Released Oct 21, 1983

1h 34m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

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38 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

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

Jan 4, 2021

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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

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Variety Staff

Variety

Overwrought and overthought.

Dec 11, 2007

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

The coolest movie Coppola ever made.

Sep 26, 2024

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a bold experiment, one which evokes a thoughtful, lyrical, adult attitude rarely seen in cinema…

Rated: 4/5

Jul 15, 2024

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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

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Yash B

While I am fairly sure I read "Rumble Fish" when I was a lot younger, I have no recollection of the novel. I do however have a good recollection of "The Outsiders" which has always been a movie adaptation I really liked and one that I rewatched recently. I think this movie has some similar themes about violence and self-damaging behavior, but I feel it is more focused on a singular character and his struggle, which makes it feel more personal. I don't think it is always the most entertaining movie, as it can be intentionally pretty bleak, but it is a fascinating watch, that leaves an emotional punch by the end of it. Francis Ford Coppola adapting S.E. Hinton's most famous novels in the 80s is an era I actually really appreciate and think it is cool to see how the filmmaker has done so many different things in his career. Overall, this is a solid movie with complex ideas and good performances that are put together in a stylish way.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Isa B

Rumble Fish is an awesome film! Mickey Rourke is great as the Motorcycle Boy. Matt Dillon and Dennis Hopper are great as well. I love the original score. Rumble Fish is artsy, well made, well directed and is a pleasurable viewing experience. I definitely recommend. 89/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

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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

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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

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Steve D

Feels like a slightly weaker Outsiders.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/23

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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

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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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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
Producer: Fred Roos, Doug Claybourne
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
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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