I first came across writer SE Hinton's work when the great Francis Ford Coppola adapted two of her books and made contrasting films. The Outsiders and Rumblefish. Both were released in 1983 having been shot back to back and both featured Matt Dillon.
A year earlier, Dillon starred as Tex, in this adaptation of a SE Hinton book made by Disney. It is not as memorable as the Coppola movies.
It is one of these coming of age dramas filled with teenage angst and Matt Dillon gives an early brat pack performance. Someone should had told him back then to do some comedy.
Tex is the younger of two brothers growing up on their own, the older brother cares for Tex. Their mother has died, their dad has walked out on them. Tex likes the sister of his best friend, their father does not like Tex hanging out with either of them.
Tex and his brother get to be heroes when they apprehend a villain on the run who initially holds them hostage. Later Tex gets involved with a drug dealing friend.
The film is a slice of life drama about young adults. It features some early brat packers, apart from Dillon it also has Emilio Estevez and Meg Tilly. It does feel a bit to contrived and cliched but also shows a direction that Disney were moving away from its family friendly roots.
