Character Development:
* Rusty-James: The film portrays Rusty-James as more introspective and brooding than the book, which focuses more on his impulsiveness and recklessness.
* Motorcycle Boy: The film gives Motorcycle Boy more personality and depth, making him a more complex character compared to the book where he serves primarily as Rusty-James's sidekick.
* The Sheba: The film gives The Sheba a larger role, making her a more significant character than in the book. She is portrayed as more independent and assertive, with a stronger personality.
Plot & Setting:
* Timeline: The film condenses the timeline of the story, particularly in the beginning. The book takes its time developing the characters and setting, whereas the film rushes through these elements to get to the climax.
* Ending: The film offers a more definitive ending than the book, providing closure to the story's main conflict. The book, on the other hand, leaves the ending more ambiguous, allowing for different interpretations.
* Setting: The film changes some of the locations featured in the book, including the diner where Rusty-James and Motorcycle Boy meet The Sheba.
Themes:
* Greaser Culture: The film emphasizes the visual aspects of the greaser subculture, focusing on style and appearance. The book delves more into the social and cultural context of this subculture.
* Violence: The film tones down some of the violence depicted in the book, especially the scene where Rusty-James murders a rival gang member.
* Brotherhood: The film emphasizes the bond between Rusty-James and his older brother, Matt Dillon, more than the book. The book focuses more on Rusty-James's relationship with Motorcycle Boy.
Overall Tone:
* The film takes a more cinematic and visually driven approach to the story, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and mood. The book, on the other hand, focuses more on characterization and internal monologue.
Overall, while the film adaptation of *Rumble Fish* remains faithful to the essence of S.E. Hinton's novel, it makes some significant changes in terms of character development, plot, setting, themes, and overall tone. This results in a slightly different interpretation of the story, but one that still captures the spirit of Hinton's original work.