Ponyboy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell), Dallas Winston (Matt Dillon) and Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio) are three of the Greasers from the poor north side of town. Dal harasses Cherry Valance (Diane Lane) at the drive-in. Ponyboy, Johnny and Two-Bit Matthews (Emilio Estevez) befriend the girls. Ponyboy's brother Sodapop (Rob Lowe) works at the gas station. He doesn't get along with his oldest brother Darrel (Patrick Swayze) since their parents died. The Socs are the rich kids from the south side. Cherry's boyfriend Bob Sheldon (Leif Garrett) is a drunk. Later that night, Ponyboy runs away from home with Johnny. Bob and a car full of Socs track them down to fight. Ponyboy is almost drowned but Johnny stabs and kills Bob. Dallas helps them hide out in an abandoned church. Later, they decide to return. On the way, they rescue a group of children trapped in a burning church. Johnny is severely burnt and hospitalized. The Socs and The Greasers prepare to fight.
Director Francis Ford Coppola has created something unreal and nostalgic. It's a beautiful piece of cinematic art. It's almost a throwback to another era. The dialog is clunky but the mannered speech creates its own atmosphere. It has an interesting artificial quality which Coppola's beautiful look can only enhance. There is something beautiful about this and the great young cast doesn't hurt.
Director Francis Ford Coppola has created something unreal and nostalgic. It's a beautiful piece of cinematic art. It's almost a throwback to another era. The dialog is clunky but the mannered speech creates its own atmosphere. It has an interesting artificial quality which Coppola's beautiful look can only enhance. There is something beautiful about this and the great young cast doesn't hurt.