Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

hollywood_jack Francis Ford Coppola made two separate films based on the novels of S. E. Hinton, The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. While both have an impressive visual style, and an amazing cast of then up and comers, Rumble Fish is the film I go back to. For years I thought this film was just a movie that my dad and I really liked and nobody else remembered. So I was super happy to see it get the Criterion Collection treatment. Mickey Rourke is an actor I have long been a fan of, and this is one of his finest performances.

ecstromstedt Rumble Fish is a surreal experience; a dreams-cape; a walk through the mind of a young adult boy. Based upon the novel by S.E. Hinton, the story is ultimately about two brothers. The youngest one is wondering two things: Why his brother left, and why he came back? The film feels like that mid-point between being awake and being asleep; you aren't sure what's real, and what's in your head. Or, in this case, in Rusty James' head. This makes the film harder to follow, but what saves it is masterful cinematography, powerful performances by our two male leads, and an all around unique style. With themes like fate, abandonment, drug-use, hopelessness, gang and hero-ship, Rumble Fish tackles them all strongly. I recommend seeing it at least once; for as a whole, Rumble Fish is a fantastic film, by one of cinema's greatest and most unique directors: Francis Ford Coppola.

PWNYCNY This is a message movie. Everything in this movie is meant to have deep, symbolic meaning. The problem is: trying to decipher those meanings. If a story cannot be understood, then the movie loses its value as drama. The principal character, Rusty James, is a young man trying to find himself. The setting for the story is surrealistic, which gives the movie a certain off-beat avant-garde quality. Although a wise-guy, Rusty James has certain endearing qualities, which makes him someone with whom the audience can empathize. The movie is about consciousness-raising. When his older brother, played by Mickey O'Rourke, enters the story, Rusty James is forced is deal with the emptiness of his life. To find out how he deals with that revelation, watch the movie.

alex239-545-53158 There are definite echoes of East Of Eden here, with Matt Dillon playing the insecure, brooding, rebellious James Dean role in the shadow of his brother, with a second parallel being the mysterious back story behind the mother shared by both films. This is actually better in my opinion. More stylish, with unquestionably superior photography and a fantastically distinct art direction which makes it stand out immediately, all monochrome in black and white, with smoky backdrops and a film noir style that perfectly brings to life the 50s youth gang setting. It's also a much more natural film, with the dialogue flowing and not stylized in the least. There are some brilliant lines that fit seamlessly into the normal young conversation, and feel like things people would say in real life. There is a sense of grit and realism alongside the panache, and it strikes the perfect balance in that respect.The two lead actors are magnetic in their roles, and beautifully framed by Coppola. Matt Dillon smoulders in a white vest throughout as Rusty James, brilliantly portraying a compelling juxtaposition between his brash, arrogant teenage exterior and the self destructive tendencies that mask the pain he feels inside from a troubled life. Mickey Rourke as his brother is stiller, more measured, more world weary, and it is a wonderful turn in a career full of high points; his charismatic is instant, and the two actors have a undeniable rapport on screen. Diane Lane is solid in the supporting role and very believable.It isn't quite a perfect film. The constant repetition of Rusty James is beyond annoying, and a real flaw in the script. His full name is said probably over a hundred times in a movie that lasts only ninety minutes – it's clearly deliberate, but it's hard to see why. Other than that the plot might be a bit meandering and aimless for some, although personally I prefer character driven films such as this, which focus on the relationships between the protagonists rather than hurtling through a storyline. The ending is also unsatisfying, quite sudden and nobody really gets what they deserve.Perhaps the biggest compliment you can pay this film is that it is interesting and meaningful but at the same time a pleasure to watch. It succeeds in transporting you back to that time, and you can become totally lost in the movie and its setting. It's also very cool, very stylish and visually flawless. Highly recommended.