I remember enjoying S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" when I read it in high school, so I've always looked forward to watching the 1983 film adaptation directed by Francis Ford Coppola - the man who made three of my all-time favorite movies (The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now). Unfortunately, after several years of putting it off, I was disappointed by Coppola's mediocre take on "The Outsiders." As in any Coppola movie the performances are top-notch and the music choices amplify the overall viewing experience. But I was surprised by the almost complete lack of effort put into establishing and developing characters, or even crafting a focused and entertaining story. 20 minutes into the film I was totally uninvested in the central characters or what little existed of a plot. Coppola's talents as a visual genius are no where to be seen in "The Outsiders," which looks more like a low budget TV movie than a major motion picture. If I hadn't sat through the opening titles I never would've guessed that "The Outsiders" was a Francis Ford Coppola film.
I really wanted to like "The Outsiders," but sadly the film just doesn't hold water. Unlike the original novel, which remains a classic to this day. Hinton's book gets high marks, but Coppola's movie doesn't. 6/10.
I really wanted to like "The Outsiders," but sadly the film just doesn't hold water. Unlike the original novel, which remains a classic to this day. Hinton's book gets high marks, but Coppola's movie doesn't. 6/10.