The Outsiders

Starring: C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Glenn Withrow, Diane Lane, Leif Garrett, Darren Dalton, Michele Meyrink, Tom Waits, Sophia Coppola
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
1983

Times Seen:
Tim: 1


Summary: In the 1960s, kids from the poorer Greasers clash with the rich Socs kids.

Review:

Tim: Look, I really loved The Outsiders. I've done a bit of reading on it and I feel like this is an underrated movie from Francis Ford Coppola. Sure, the film is melodramatic. But it makes you feel something. I thought Coppola approached these characters with genuine interest and care. He's deeply invested in them, so we become invested in them, too. It helps that the movie boasts one of the most impressive collections of young talent I've ever seen. The movie has some flaws, but it's truly a great movie.

This film did such a fantastic job of capturing how it feels to be young. All the characters in this movie are young and naive in their own ways. They don't yet see the bigger picture of life, so they pulled into meaningless details, thinking they are what really matter. We see these youths, a bit lost, trying to find their way, having to navigate through some treacherous situations. None of these kids is innocent- they've seen too much. And yet, none of them are guilty at first- they're all trying their best to figure life out. I found Coppola's depiction of this heartbreaking and beautiful. Every character in this film is flawed, but none have completely lost their humanity. It helps that Coppola assembles of the best casts of all time.

I love that in a cast filled with future stars, it's C. Thomas Howell who is in the lead role and gives the most heartfelt performance. His youthfulness is painful at times, but his Ponyboy is someone who feels differently. Someone who wasn't meant for this life he's living. That is so apparent in Howell's performance. He constantly draws us in and delivers a memorable and emotional performance. He has a great collaborator in Ralph Macchio, who gives a likewise strong and unforgettable performance. These two work so well together. Macchio delivers some deeply emotional moments, in perhaps the most memorable character arc of the entire film. My favorite moments of the entire movie involve Macchio and Howell alone in that abandoned church. It's a chance to see who these characters are, outside of the bad influences all around them.

The supporting cast is terrific. Matt Dillon shines in a role that is painfully believable. I knew people exactly like this character growing up- mad at the world, victim mentality- someone who pushes the buttons of everyone around them and then gaslights them when they react. Dillon's character is a complete jerk at the beginning of the film, but the movie explores his humanity. I was surprised that I felt for his character as the movie went on. Like most lost boys, he's not rotten at his core- just woefully misguided. I loved Emilio Estevez here. He plays a surprising character, "one of the boys" who quietly shows up with unexpected kindness. It was so interesting to watch him bring such heart and depth to this supporting character. I loved every scene Estevez was in. Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe have less to do, but they make their presence felt. Swayze especially seemed to command attention every time he showed up on screen. Tom Cruise really had so little to do, but I still loved seeing him in this role. Diane Lane was wonderful- she makes a huge impact on the film in subtle ways. Her role was essential and she plays it so well- you understand and sympathize with her character. She makes a terrific contrast to the machismo dripping throughout the rest of the film. It's amazing that so many future stars played roles in this film.

Starpower alone doesn't make this a great movie, though. It's Coppola's handling of these extreme emotions that kids so often feel. The movie is filled with melodrama, but that's so accurate for teenagers trying to find their place in the world. The story felt dangerous to me- like any character could be killed or maimed at any point. The world here felt realistic- one wrong decision could cost these characters everything. The movie is odd at times, unexpected. It keeps you on your toes while telling a story that is filled with redemption, heartbreak, meaning and meaninglessness. The Outsiders has flaws, but it's strengths are so far beyond those. The movie's more outlandish moments, the too-extreme emotions never really bothered me. I was riveted by the story and these characters. I felt like I truly stepped into their world, which is what the best movies do. Coppola does all this in a surprisingly tight 91 minutes. It's an amazing directorial feat to tell such an emotional, unforgettable story in such a tight timeframe. The Outsiders is truly a great film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Stand by Me, Boyz n the Hood, West Side Story