Rumble Fish

Teenaged angst and rebellion has been the theme used in some of cinema’s best dramatic works. From "Blackboard Jungle’ to ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ the plight of older teens set adrift in a world of violence and confusion is fertile ground for tension. In 1983 director Francis Ford Coppola added to this illustrious genre with ‘Rumble Fish’ an often overlooked film but one that stands the test of time. The title refers to a species of fish that is so aggressive that they will fight to the death any other fish nearby. If placed in front of a mirror they will start to tear themselves apart, a fitting metaphor for the senseless anger the teen gangs display towards each other and even themselves. The head of one such gang of punks is Rusty James (Matt Dillion), tough, fearless and careening towards doom he seems to care only about his girlfriend Patty (Diane Lane) and his older brother The Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), whom he idolizes. One faithful night Rusty James learns that a rival gang leader Biff Wilcox (Glenn Withrow) has called him out for a fight. Rusty James appears almost anxious to fight is enemy only to find out that what was to be a simple brawl turns far more serious when Biff produces a knife. As Rusty James is fighting for his life, pretty much holding his own an engine’s rumble is heard, out of the dark appears The Motorcycle Boy, back from an extended trip to California. The Boy saves the day crashing his bike into Biff but not in time to prevent Rusty James from getting cut. While Rusty James and his crew want a return to the old days of more formalized gang fights The Motorcycle Boy seems to regret the path he has followed and wants to help his younger brother to find another way. The characters drift in and out of various situations, the fight, philosophize and make out with the all too willing girls that seem to abound. All of this puts a lot of strain on Rusty James’ relationship with Patty, she wants a more normal boyfriend but like many girls just can’t turn away from that bad boy. Rusty James and The Boy’s father (Dennis Hopper) is a broken down drunk. Rusty doesn’t even bother to hide the bottle of booze from him when the father walks in on him drinking. The father just happens to live in the same little apartment with his son, all hopes of parental guidance was lost a long time ago. The Boy is color blind; to him the world is literally in black and white, there is nothing bright in his life. During his trip to California The Boy met with their mother, now living with a movie producer, a symbol that it is possible to get out.

The world created here is populated by interesting, albeit somewhat stereotypical characters. There is Steve (Vincent Spano) the nerd that gets to hang out with Steve. He is always writing down what he experiences as if it is not real to him unless he can read it. In some respects he serves as the conscience for Rusty James, always questioning while he has to be so angry. Donna (Sofia Coppola) is Patty’s Boy sister and has the required crush on Rusty James. When Rusty comes over to Patty’s house one night Donna scoots in to try to cuddle next to him. She wants what her older sister has, a dangerous boyfriend. Smokey (Nicolas Cage) is the one that comes up with the idea of breaking in to a house to have a party. He also has a plot to take Patty away from Rusty James. Drugs are looked at as the reason the old gangs disappeared, a bane even in this outlaw world. Cassandra (Diana Scarwid) is a junkie, pretty but a joke among her peers. Like the character by the same name in Greek mythology she speaks of doom that no one hears. In this setting violence comes with no reason, it is just part of their existence. They take want they want sure that their lives are short anyway.

A producer today could not afford to hire this cast now. This was a training ground for some of the best actors of their generation. Matt Dillion portrays Rusty James as a tragic figure, product of his surround but with the potential to be much more. Although he has some natural talent as a leader his position is under contention due to his eagerness to fight with little provocation. Mickey Rourke as the Motorcycle Boy is almost existential in nature. He is laconic, choosing his few words carefully. Like James Dean before him he is soft spoken, philosophical and always prevails in a fight. He talks to his brother at a local pet store teaching him about the rumble fish, musing that he doesn’t think they would fight if they were back in the river. Diane Lane holds her own in this testosterone heavy cast with a sensitive portrayal of Patty, the girl that just fell in love with the wrong boy. Francis Ford Coppola must have done some of his casting at a family get together. Nicolas Cage, born Nicholas Coppola is the nephew of the director. He did this film right after Fast Time at Ridgemont High and Valley Girl. This was the first opportunity Cage had to so the mastery he has with darker, moodier characters. As you watch you can witness the origins of so many of his great performances. Then there is Coppola’s daughter Sofia as Donna. While her career would be more successful as a director she instills a light almost comic touch to this dark film. Her brother Gino also has a small role here. Others that went on to greatness found here in embryo are Laurence Fishburne and Chris Penn.

Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most complex and stylized directors on the scene today. His true talent is the ability to paint detailed pictures with every scene. His use of color, symbolism and lighting is unparallel in cinema. Here with Rumble Fish he takes an artier approach; he has referred to this movie as an art house film for teens. Since it is in black and white with the sole exception of the rumble fish in the aquarium, he has to depend on lighting to set and sustain the mood. You can see how this film influenced the more recent film noir, Sin City. He really plays with the use of camera angles, pressing low to see the clouds whizzing by or the smash of a boot into someone. Coppola brings Rusty James’ thoughts to life as he sees Patty in various states of undress in class or when Rusty is beaten in a robbery he hovers over his own body, looking down at how Patty, Donna and the gang take the news of his death. He then floats back into his body to be saved once again by The Motorcycle Boy. While some scenes may appear to be from a senior in film school this is just a great director having some fun with his art.

Universal has done very well with bringing this little classic to DVD. The black a white, anamorphic 1.85 video is striking. Not a hint of grain or any sign of age is to be found. The Dolby 5.1 re-mixed audio is also impressive. The unique soundtrack fills the room, the sound of the engine roars across your living room. There are some notable extras also provided. The commentary by Coppola is like attending a film school held by a master craftsman. There is also a featurette on the Tulsa location and one of the percussive sound track. They threw in a few deleted scenes that should have remained on the cutting room floor to round things out. Universal has been bringing gems like this to DVD and now serious collectors can add this one to an honored place in their homes.

Posted 9/16/05