1. The Wanderers (Dir.: Philip Kaufman, 1979)
Unfairly beaten to theatres by Walter Hills cult classic
The Warriors, this second gangs of New York drama is more of a coming of age drama than an action thriller. Director Philip Kaufman (
The Right Stuff) and writer Richard Price (adapted from his novel) assemble an impressive young cast, a terrific rock n roll soundtrack and stylish flare to make
The Wanderers a bittersweet masterpiece. The Wanderers are a gang among many in New Yorks Bronx theres also: the Baldies (a bunch of violent skin heads), the Wongs (Chinese martial-artists who all have the surname Wong), the del Bombers (the Italian hating black group who are the Wanderers football rivals) and the psychotic Ducky boys. Led by Richie, the Wanderers are all about singing doo-wop music (their anthem and name is inspired by Dions song
The Wanderer), combing their greasy pompadours and chasing dames. Richie however has his problems hes knocked up his girlfriend who is the daughter of local mob boss, hes involved with snobby society girl (
Raiders of the Lost Arks Karen Allen), hes the captain of the football who are up against the Del Bombers in a championship match, and he faces brutality from any one of his gang rivals. Kaufman has a wonderful blend of realist drama with surrealistic farce. The Wanderers are teenage boys on the verge of manhood with very traditional adolescent problems in an almost cartoonish world of gangs. The toe-curling-ly 60s soundtrack features
The Shirelles, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Ben E. King and
Dion who all add to the sense of abandon and joy of youth. The film is less about plot and more about sequences and spending time with the characters. There is certainly plenty of style on display but that does not detract away from the substance.
The Wanderers is a charming and frank tale about the end of innocence which will have you reaching for the hair gel and change for the local juke box.
Have I missed a little known classic or your favourite under-appreciated gem? Please feel free to add comments and share.