Rumble Fish (1983)

Matt Dillon manages his best Marlon Brando impersonation in Rumble Fish (1983), Francis Ford Coppola’s black-and-white adaptation of the popular S.E. Hinton novel. Set in a dead-end town full of pool halls and motorcycle races, the film follows Rusty James (Dillon) and his leather-clad buddies (including Nicolas Cage, Chris Penn, and Vincent Spano) as they get into fights and reminisce about the former glories of their lughead idol (Mickey Rourke). When he’s not hanging with his boys, Rusty makes time for comely Diane Ladd, who handles the transition from child star to red-blooded adult actress with verve.