MovieChat Forums > Rumble Fish (1983) Discussion > I'm as confused as Rusty James

I'm as confused as Rusty James

posted 12 years ago by snickerdoodle68
11 replies | jump to latest

So I watched this movie, and while I agree that the cinematography was beautiful and the music unique and distinctive, I have absolutely no idea what I just watched. What was the point of this movie, exactly?

Other than being deaf and color-blind was the Motorcycle Boy really insane in the membrane crazy?

Why was Rusty James such an idiot and what did Diane Lane's character see in him? What the point of her role anyway?

Sigh. I just don't get any of it. It's like Coppola tried to make a deep movie but the original material was probably too shallow to work with.

[–] ilves 12 years ago

I haven't seen the movie, but here's some answers according to the book:

In the book the father of Rusty-James and Motorcycle Boy says that MB is not crazy against common beliefs, but only in a time and place where he does not fit.

Rusty-James was not smart. Some people just are stupider than others. He was the toughest guy in the area though, silently agreed as the leader. So I guess many girls, including Patty, found him desirable.

Wait! Does this also mean putting out doesn't get you love?

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BernadetteButterfly 11 years ago

I read the book several times and it is wonderful. I think maybe Coppola tried to do a bit too much with the story, but for those of us who read the book, I think we can follow the story more easily.

http://www.wix.com/butterflyinabottle/bernadettebutterfly

[–] DracTarashV 11 years ago

Why was Rusty James such an idiot and what did Diane Lane's character see in him?

Well, to answer the Diane Lane question, her character just happened to be attracted to bad boys - like many girls out there - and Rusty James was one of them.

You can't be a satanist without being a christian.

[–] King-Turtle 11 years ago

If you want movies with simple, direct answers to everything, stick with Kevin Costner. This story has so many themes, I can barely list them all: Living in shadows. quests for origins, the cult of personality, to name but a few.

[–] joependleton78 10 years ago

"Don't flatter yourself King-Turtle".

[–] sofiasws 10 years ago

K look. Rumble Fish is as great a book as it was a movie. Rumble Fish was not shallow. But The Motorcycle Boys mind is so complex and hard to comprehend, and the movie was based on his insane mind and colorblind eyes. Therefore, the whole story is a little hard to understand. But what I think of the story is, Rusty-James had always wanted to be like his brother. And when he finally did, he was basically deaf and colorblind like The Motorcycle Boy. Since I read the book this isn't all that obvious in the movie but it was definitely mentioned.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Errington_92 10 years ago

From my interpretation, since time was a main theme in Rumble Fish, it could be said people have to find their own individuality and not waste their life. The Motorcycle Boy felt he had wasted his life on criminality and did not wish to be seen as a rebel icon. Therefore the Motorcycle Boy was attempting to change his personality for greater individuality.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] adriangoldammer 8 years ago

****SPOILERS HERE*******************

I think the entire family - the day, Motorcycle Boy and Rusty James - were left-of-center (not insane). They didn't fit into the world they lived in. The Dad, who, if you read the book, was clearly intelligent, coped with things by drinking. The Motorcycle Boy did it by taking extended excursions to find other places where he might fit it, but he'd always return to the old neighborhood to check on his brother and the guys and gals he knew there. Notice that, when he dies, the Motorcycle Boy has a smile on his face. He's finally free of this world. Rusty James was fairly "normal" at first. It's only after he receives a head injury then witnesses the pet store death that he suddenly gains the mindset of his brother and father. In fact the death of the Motorcycle Boy seems to transform Rusty James INTO the Motorcycle Boy.

[–] MoviemanCin 8 years ago

I agree, snickerdoodle. What was the point?

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, and / or doesn't.