Rumble Fish

If you've seen another film that in any way resembles Francis Ford Coppola's Rumble Fish, please let me know. Personally I found it to be a completely unique experience. Shot in black and white it was filmed just two weeks after Coppola had wrapped The Outsiders, another film coincidently enough dealing with youth angst. Coppola has said that he wanted to make it a art film for teenagers? The characters here don't talk, they shout. They don't walk, they stomp. Almost every scene feels like a heightened sense of reality with the characters in your face. You be the judge if it works. The cast however is exploding with young talent; Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Nic Cage, Mickey Rourke, and a few wonderfully brief scene's with the then already legendary Dennis Hopper, RIP.
The story itself is somewhat murky though and therefore I wont go into it. Needless to say with that much talent behind and in front of the screen it made for a interesting viewing experience. Here though it seems Coppola is indulging in a poetic style that results in a lack of any strong narrative. It comes off as a bit messy, rushed, and cold. Its the diverse acting by the young cast particularly from Rourke though who keeps the story going even at times when it seems a bit over dramatized. Rourke is an actor who could make you cry with a smile and Coppola uses that power to strengthen the character. The cinematography is gorgeous and it amazes me how Coppola was able to set up these beautiful images just two weeks after another film. Here every frame has a poetic style to it that could be put on a postcard.
Im not exactly sure just how I feel about Ruble Fish . It is a daring piece of filmmaking that also is a perfect example of showing an artist who is unwilling to compromise his art for the stake of success.

B

1983