The movie details a town split between the wealthy South Zone gang called The Socials and the poor North Zone gang called The Greasers. Dallas Winston Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade from The Greasers befriend the rich Cherry Valance and Marcia at a drive-in. Later that night a group of The Socs chase and beat up Johnny and attempt to drown Ponyboy in a fountain. However Johnny stabs one Soc and kills him saving Ponyboy. The desperate boys seek Dallas who finds a hideout for them in a nearby town. One week later Johnny and Ponyboy decide to return to their hometown with Dallas to claim the murder as self-defense. But on their way back they see the church on fire and Ponyboy and Johnny help the children trapped in the church and become heroes. However Johnny is badly wounded and confined to the hospital. Meanwhile The Socs and The Greasers prepare to fight.
Review
The Outsiders is a great adaptation of S.E Hintons wonderful (and heartbreaking) novel. The film is a piece of art. Its got a good solid story beautiful photography convincing acting by the leading actors and a nice score.
Its a starpacked film with appearances by Tom Cruise Rob Lowe Patrick Swayze among others. (Not to mention it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola!) But I was most amazed by C. Thomas Howells portrayal of Ponyboy Curtis the central character of the novel and film who did a great job carrying the story.
There are many scenes in the film that are exactly like the book even following the same dialogue. Usually I dont think thats a good thing since I like to see someone elses interpretation another ones point of view instead of a copy of the book. But Coppola masters everything beautifully anyway so it never gets boring and C. Thomas Howells interpretation of his role is what makes the film stand on its own.
Thanks to Howell there are many memorable Ponyboy moments. One of those is Ponyboys recital of Robert Frosts Nothing Gold can stay which is a scene that stays with you forever. Another actor who caught my attention in this film was Emilio Estevez who plays TwoBit Mathews friend of the Curtis brothers and a greaser. Estevez lights up every scene hes in and the film wouldnt be as great without him.
There are only two things I dont like about the film The greasers are too wellgroomed and clean and the socs are a too onedimensional.