Rumble Fish Movie And Book Comparison Essay

Translating a novel into a film can be quite a daunting task. Often times, some parts will be condensed or eliminated from the screen play altogether. Directs will see things differently and occasionally the movie will not emulate its book counterpart at all. Fortunately, Rumble Fish’s movie did not undergo drastic changes. The film adaptation of Rumble Fish does a satisfactory job of retelling S.E. Hinton’s work or literature and even adds on to it. This is evident through the changes made and creative liberties taken, the portrayal of the characters, and the alternate ending.
From the book to movie, there are bound to be alterations and creative liberties presented in the film adaptation. S.E. Hinton’s novel is intended for a younger audience,

To demonstrate, “So I was there when they turned him over, and he was smiling, and the little rumble fish were flipping and dying around him, still too far from the river” (131). On the other hand, the modified ending to the film adaptation is appropriate and almost feels required. The lead up to the ending with the Motor Cycle boy wanting to prove his theory is such a crucial learning experience for Rusty-James, and it is disheartening to not see his theory flourish. One could argue that this ending is similar to The Chocolate War, in its cynical nature and important to show that not everything is hunky-dory. Despite that, I would still argue that this ending needed to occur. Rusty-James and the audience have to see the rumble fish swim away in their own separate paths in the river or else there would be no moral of the story. There would be no meaning in the Motor Cycle boy’s death or his sacrifice to demonstrate this theory to his brother. The only messages that could be taken away from this piece of literature would be to not get involved with the wrong crowd or becoming your own person despite the desire to contend with others or to follow in their footsteps. Now the latter of these seems adequate, but the lesson about separation and need for people to get along with one another is superior. Indeed, this ending shifts from the initial conclusion, but it still matches up with the overall atmosphere of Rumble