Plot: When two poor teenagers, Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny(Ralph Maccio), are assaulted by a gang called the socs, and Johnny kills one of the gang members, tensions begin to mount between the two rival groups.
Review: This is a great movie.
This is based off the novel by S.E. Hinton. What I like about the film's plot is that it's recognizable. We see the lives of those of high and low social statuses. Instead of the poor kids being stereotypical, we see that they're more intelligent than they seem to be and because of their experiences, they have a real sense of the world.
The film's acting is pretty solid.
C. Thomas Howell plays Ponyboy and I think he's a great lead. He's able to portray Ponyboy's intelligence, toughness, vulnerability and determination so well. Ralph Maccio plays Johnny and his portrayal of Johnny's desperation and determination to live a better life is marvelous to see. Rob Lowe plays Sodapop and I think his performance as a young man who doesn't want to live the life he was supposedly destined to live is incredible. Patrick Swayze plays Darry, Ponyboy and Sodapop's older brother and guardian. He was a standout for me, a man who wants the best for his family and that's what he lives by. Matt Dillon is Dally and I think he's also very convincing. Dillon was one of the standouts for me. The entire cast is talented and play their roles convincingly well.
All of the actors who play the Greasers have wonderful brotherly chemistry between them. It makes their bond just that much stronger and believable. It especially applies to the end when they loose on their own. The grief and pain they suffer from their loss makes you sympathize with them to a powerful extent.
The Greasers because you can see that they're misunderstood and judged. Some do and will act like the way people expect them to, but they have a layer underneath that makes them just as human as the rest of us. They're just as flawed as us, but they have their hopes and dreams that they want to fulfill.
This film is a realistic representation of poor teenagers and the hardships of adolescence when you're of lower social and financial status. But it's also a powerful representation of the hardships of life when you're from the wrong side of the tracks. And all you want is to be greater to prove the people that judge you wrong.
Rating: 4/5
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