Rumble Fish No Spoilers Analysis

Title says it all

[@jollysheldone425]

It's actually an expose, of the mentality of people trapped in a singular existence. The analogy from the Motorcycle Boy that the fish wouldn't fight if they were free, is emphasised in the release that Rusty James achieves when he drives to the ocean, and that was the Motorcycle boy's gift to Rusty! go and see the world! it is more than this.

[@veritasinvicta8128]

That's not Rusty James driving to the Ocean. It's TMB finally getting to see the sea in death. A release. Why would it be Rusty James driving?

[@jollysheldone425]

@@veritasinvicta8128 Hmmm read that comment several times now to see if there's some sort of existential directive, but no. What you're saying is that the dead MB, crawls off the riverbank, and rides the bike to the ocean, where he arrives alive and looking exactly like Rusty? Or you may be saying we're whitnessing his final thoughts in passing, where he imagines going to the ocean and looking like his brother? Or maybe you missed the bit where he told Rusty to take the bike and ride to the ocean? Or missed the part where Rusty runs away from TMB's dead body, get's on the bike and rides it to the ocean? Or the end of the film whare it's clear Rusty did what his brother asked and rode the bike to the ocean? I'm confused, are we talking about the same film?

[@sugarpuddin]

Well said. The song, Don't box me in: the herd hates uniqueness, novelty and authenticity - it demands conformity Society is like a malignant narcissist: controlling, condescending, gluttonous, and claims to be a victim

[@Ritzifatzo]

But the Motorcycle Boy was more fascinated by the river than the ocean.

[@stephengaren2219]

I'd suggest reading the book before watching the film. It shows the differentiation between the two. I read the books before made into movies. I was a teenager when the movies came out. Then everyone was reading the books that were written in the 60's. The differences between the book and the movie are quite evident, but the author, S.E. Hinton, was involved and made appearances in two of the four movies. Lines and changes were added to the film that wasn't in the book. As you grow older, both the book and the film change in your perspective. I'm in my 50's and have to say that out of all those books and adaptations to films, this one is best in that regard. The Motorcycle Boy really wasn't crazy. In fact, everyone misses the real tragedy in the book and film. Self-sacrifice to save someone you love. Watch the movie again, but from MB's perspective. Listen to what he says in the film, notice the photo in the book, then you will definitely see the plot. Everyone is paying attention to the wrong character in the film. Watch it again and pay attention to MB. Treat him as the main character in the film, and the whole movie changes. The scene in the bar with their dad is that giveaway in the film. Listen closely to what the dad is saying. It changes the whole dynamic in the film. Even the new versions of the film, on the DVD case front tells you all this. Took me until I was in my 40's to figure it out ... I'm in my 50's now. Shout-out to my 7th grade English teacher (Myers) at Hillsboro High School for introducing me to 'The Outsiders' because she saw the similarities between myself and the book, should she ever run across this. Not only did she change my life, but saved my life in doing so. Extremely Grateful. And yes, I still have my 'unique perspective' in life.

[@sugarpuddin]

The song, Don't box me in, says a lot. Society, the herd, the malignant narcissists than rule the system, hate uniqueness, novelty, authenticity. The system demands conformity. To be sure, the American bureaucracy has grown so enormous it boxes the culture in. Creativity and innovation have been crushed. The people are boxed in - Continual fighting amongst each other. I never knew freedom, and love of people until I left the USA... I left for good. Best decision of my life!

[@willy565]

In my opinion.....There is a plot. Rusty James is just another Siamese Fighting Fish in the aquarium at the Pet Store. If he stays in this town, he will kill himself, fighting his own reflection, whilst trapped in the cage-city. Freeing the Fish in the river would give them more room, as The Motorcycle Boy explains....They wouldn't fight. Rusty James is free at the end, with the final shot of him near the ocean........Just my take on it, not saying I am right.

[@gangawerks]

Very accurate.

[@sugarpuddin]

The song, Don't box me in is perfect! Society, the herd, demands conformity. It despises uniqueness, novelty, authenticity. To be sure, the Americans fight each other as their big bureaucracy has boxed them in I never knew what freedom was until I left the USA for good.

[@stephenpickells2003]

The 80s were the most in-your-face decade that I recall. People were constantly going "This is the 80s!" and they had the music and the fashions to prove it. Teen movies became a thing but the template was usually the same; two parents and a big house in a leafy suburb of Chicago. You could smell the money. It's no surprise then, that Warner Bros hated The Outsiders and it's somewhat miraculous that Francis Ford Copolla got $10 million to make Rumble Fish. I felt Steve's character was the link back to reality (the 80s, unfortunately) from this rather nebulous world of smoke and shadows. Tom Waits can see the clock ticking but Steve is bothered by it. Rusty James isn't bothered by the sound of his own name, Diana Scarwid seems to bother him. Dennis Hopper does his lines sitting down and Nic Cage was believable. Biff Wilcox is the perfect opponent. The jacket alone could kill, but then he flashes his eyes and you can see the euphoria. Diana Scarwid is a junky with a heart of gold, and Diane Lane's school uniform is as timeless as the copper's uniform. The general vibe is that it's still the 50s and this is why Steve is so frustrated with everybody.

[@benmoore701]

I love this film , it blows my mind it isn't respected how I feel it should be, I mean damn, entertaining

[@kataisa3]

This film is beautiful to look at but the plot is difficult to follow and if you haven’t read the book, it’s even more difficult to figure out what the point of it all is.

[@thewkovacs316]

@@kataisa3 love all the hinton books...loved the movie

[@s1050]

Mickey Rourke was brilliant as always

[@redstar7292]

There was nothing for teen girls in the early 80's - no boy bands, the pop groups were ok, but most of them from the gay scene. So we loved all these SE Hinton films with these great actors, Tom Cruise, Micky R and Matt Dillion, Nic Cage, Emillio Estevez. We used wish we looked like Diane Lane, and boys like this existed for us! And they were well made by Coppola and based on really good youth writing the first of it's kind really for young adults.

[@carcocojoker4612]

Lol there were loads of boy bands spandau wham Duran Duran etc

[@bayknight20]

@@carcocojoker4612 they were grown men,young men but men

[@chloebhanks]

@@carcocojoker4612 Um.. yeah she said most of them were from the gay scene lol

[@dolphwong]

Stevie is Rusty James's subconscious

[@fabrice14637]

Time running out is the theme. Besides the atmospherics--clouds racing by, shadows growing across walls, clock hands twirling fast--you see subliminal hints of the theme in the backgrounds as characters discuss the smaller conflicts born out of the overarching main conflict--there's nothing for them in that world (the filmmaking in this movie is superb--I think it's actually kind of a nod to Scorcese, too, or vice versa, who drops similar "subconscious" hints throughout his films). RJ sits at a busstop and on the bench, aimed directly at his head are the words "just 12 weeks". The pivotal discussion between the two brothers and the cop--who is the literal embodiment of this society, the protector of its laws and codes--takes place in front of a giant clock. The implication is, the characters are predestined, given the society and the class they are born into. We can see these signs, they do not. And when someone comes along with the ability to disrupt the rigid caste system in this case, in whatever way, its code reacts to him as a contagion and destroys him. The line "...he was simply miscast in a play..." might as well have been "he was born on the wrong side of the tracks". (I've always thought this movie could be recast with actors from any subjugated or minority group, in any country, anywhere, really. It's like a Greek tragedy for this kind of universality, as well.)

[@emilytoole1524]

To lead people you need to have somewhere to go “ he reminds me of Marlon Brando a lot with that voice , acting and looks . RIP Chris Penn.

[@veritasinvicta8128]

Tulsa is more Midwest than Southwest. I agree though, best "teen" movie of the 80s and that's saying a lot.

[@dougg1075]

Stevie is his voice of reason

[@larryjohnson4619]

Stevie is Rusty James ' inner self

[@MattMichaelVO]

Yup! Too bad A Sage Reviews missed that. Stevie is supposed to be out of place. He's the real Rusty James who doesn't belong in this world (the world of the movie) and the opposite of The Motorcycle Boy. The Motorcycle Boy doesn't belong in this world for different reasons.

[@77jcarva]

@@MattMichaelVO how is that?

[@M2Mil7er]

indeed. An inverse Tyler Durden of sorts.

[@mariosmavrogenis5396]

Well i was searching a long time for an analysis in this film Keep up the good work

[@Eskay1206]

Stevie wrote the story, he is the narrator

[@fabrice14637]

Yep, as he is in the book.

[@rickgerrard8922]

Super commentary and analysis. But 7.5, you missed the boat, friend-o. Give it another view. Gets better with time.

[@kataisa3]

Vince Spano’s character struck me as being anachronistic in Rusty James’s gang-he just didn’t belong or fit in.

[@chriswayne5000]

In the book he's known Steve since they were 7, and The Motorcycle Boy points out that Rusty's only vice is "loyalty." I think Steve represents long-term stability for R. James. I think he even said something like "Steve goes where I go."

[@SlitchBatty]

The admiration of a younger brother I too had

[@evanglas58]

I have loved this film since I first saw it on TV in 1988. I was lucky enough to be able to see it in cinemas, too. My criticisms are it's pretentious and preachy. But I have met some people who love it, too. We speak a secret language...

[@luisvaldes1568]

Saw it once, which was enough. Glad I saw this analysis.

[@BlackFoxInc]

Great video (you don't need the no spoilers bs). Hope you gain subs quick, 'cos you are good. Also drop the score. Leave the 10 out of 10 bs to the individual. Everything else you got it mate!

[@versetripn6631]

The towel he continues to swipe with is the rabbit. Leading each viewer around in small circles. Chasing itself while also running away. The ultimate Psy Op served in a dirty ashtray!!

[@martitinkovich4489]

I always liked a greezy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray.........

[@versetripn6631]

@@martitinkovich4489 I prefer fresh peppers and sausage while transplanting corpses.

[@martitinkovich4489]

@@versetripn6631 Would you say most of coppola's movies are just basic mind f*ck programming?

[@versetripn6631]

@@martitinkovich4489 He and each of the New Hollywood directors of that era...yep

[@versetripn6631]

@@martitinkovich4489 u want "mindf**k"? Watch Repo Man!! (84). You WILL see a famous scene from 'Goodfellas' BEFORE Scorsese dropped Goodfellas

[@the_black_douglas9041]

Motorcycle Boy is an Arthurian Fisher King character. A wounded King waiting to be healed having lost his royal mojo. In Arthurian tales he’s impotent due to a battle wound to the genitals. MB’s injury is his sight and hearing. The reference to MB as “royalty in exile” and also MB at the end of the gang fight wearily asking “is this another glorious battle for the Kingdom?” Also the Siamese fighting fish in colour - that was his mojo.

[@sugarpuddin]

Stevie might be Rusty James imaginary alter ego The song, "Don't box me in": society refuses uniqueness, novelty, authenticity. It wants you to be a compliant part of the herd. Just like a malignant narcissist: controlling, condescending and constantly claims to be victim.

[@lpifitnessbrandproducts6774]

Tragic is an understatement at armageddon

[@tacey505]

sometimes over analyzing the product kills the original intent, just sayin, this is a superb movie with a timeless soundtrack. carry on critics

[@feenyfighter]

In addition to give RJ somebody to open up to, think Stevie is there to give Rusty James at least one follower. Just finished my first watch, so I forget Nic Cage’s character name, but there’s an important scene outside the pool hall where he tells RJ that he’d be the real later of the gang, not RJ. RJ is kind of a thug, he isn’t smart, and he couldn’t lead a gang. I think this would be too obvious in the film of not for Stevie, RJ’s only loyal worshipper. Stevie lets RJ hold on to his dilutions, and he lets the audience think more of RJ than they otherwise would for longer in the film.

[@harrymarshall]

NC character is Smokey,, buck buck buck,,, Stevie is the narrator ,, as ponyboy is in outsiders

[@bayknight20]

I see Rusty James infatuation with gang warfare as a metaphor for the U.S's involvement in Vietnam. It is based on past glories and a macho need to fulfill what he thinks are his responsibilities, yet they lead to desolation, as shown in the morning after under the bridge scene. I think the character of Steve Hayes is brilliant;he seems annoying and geek like, but isnt that how parental and society's morals are perceived by teenagers? This film, along with Godfather I and II, and the juxtapostiion of the helicopter scene and Kurtz's compound scene in Apocalypse now represent to me a recurring theme in Coppola's movies. That violence and or war start out as irresistable highs, or something that needs to be done, but lead to death and desolation.

[@benjiarehart2878]

"I thought California was on the coast".

[@harrymarshall]

The story goes that some students who were reading Hinton in an English class really liked the book and wondered if FFC would make it into a film,, the teacher happened to know someone who worked for FFC and the rest is history,, I don't buy it,, FFC had debts ,, FFC wanted to be an auteur of novelle vague cinema vérité,, FFC had lots of appropriate family actors that would make a good teen movie,, you do the math,, imho 😏 still a classic 🕊️🏆😎

[@dimasarayan2327]

Much had been said abt diz movie but the movie seems to convey that younger brothers revere their elders or elder bro @ thesame time a father-like figure since a drunkfather can be useless to both of them,the ending for me seems to tell that the motorcycle boy has to do something for his brother to @ least prevent further mistakes he did that only his death wud make his younger brother stop immitating him,since it will only destroy the younger ones life,its like suicide to let him see facts not invincibility thats it

[@lukadubak7476]

great!!

[@DirkMays]

First READ the book! Steve is a invisible friend of Rusty James. If you don't know what a Rusty James is well..... you should get out more. One of the Directors Coppola sent to Tulsa on the 2nd shoot didn't last a day in Tea-Town. Got back on the plane and said he would never come back to the most lawless cut through distrusting shit town that he had ever witnessed. I grew up in Tulsa in Dawson. I enjoyed watching my freinds and one famly member as extras in the Outsiders, Rumble Fish and Tex and no one knew that these young male actors that wanted so bad to be TOUGH would all become MEGA-SUPERSTARS. NAME ONE MOVIE THAT HAD MORE?..................keep thinkin like that and u gonna hurt yourself BLITE

[@lpifitnessbrandproducts6774]

Richey

[@iammraat3059]

Stevie is not real, he acts as a rational side of rusty james

[@chriswayne5000]

I think he's real. The other gang members acknowledge him, and The Motorcycle Boy even calls him by the nickname "Stevie." In the book Rusty's known Steve since they were 7.

[@lpifitnessbrandproducts6774]

Propaganda from 6000 bc Egypt hostage

[@clintcalvert9250]

The “nerd”character is physically real,or not real?? His performance is logical,and why you think?