Rumble Fish - Differences From The Novel

Differences From The Novel

Coppola did not employ the flashback structure of the novel. He also removed a few passages from the novel that further established Steve and Rusty James' relationship in order to focus more on the brothers' relationship.

• The Motorcycle Boy's self-destructive actions at the film's conclusion are less motivated in the film than in the novel. In the film, the Motorcycle Boy is more attendant and more paternalistic toward Rusty James than in the novel.
• The film ends with the younger brother arriving at the ocean on a motorcycle while the novel ends with Steve meeting Rusty James in California five years after Motorcycle Boy's death.
• Furthermore, Rusty James got arrested after Motorcycle Boy had been shot and never made the promise to ride the motorcycle.
• During the fight with Biff, Rusty James was slashed with a knife rather than a pane of glass and Motorcycle Boy simply broke Biff's wrist instead of ramming him with his motorcycle.
• Finally, Rusty James used a bike chain to disarm Biff, whereas in the film he uses a sweater.