Watch The Delinquents

The Delinquents is a 1957 drama directed by Robert Altman and starring Tom Laughlin, Peter Miller, and Richard Bakalyan. The film tells the story of a group of rebellious teenagers who come from a small Midwestern town and are struggling to find their place in the world. The main character is a young man named Scotty White, played by Tom Laughlin, who is tormented by his stepfather and is looking for a way to escape his troubled home life. He becomes friends with the tough-talking, leather jacket-wearing Mac, played by Peter Miller, who is the leader of a group of delinquent teenagers. Together, they engage in petty crimes and other acts of rebellion, and ultimately find themselves on a collision course with the law.

As the story unfolds, we see the inner workings of the group's dynamics and how they cope with their personal issues, starting from Scotty's dysfunction to the anger of Mac, brought on his inability to deal with loss. The film explores various themes such as family dysfunction, peer pressure, and the struggle to find one’s identity, as well as the consequences that come with making the wrong decisions.

The Delinquents is notable for its portrayal of teenage life in the 1950s, as well as for its realistic depiction of small-town America. The film also has a strong social commentary on the dark side of adolescence that is often overlooked, and how young people's misguided desire to be part of a group can lead to bad decisions and ultimately devastating consequences. The Delinquents make us ask the question of whether such a sense of belonging to a certain circle is worth risking everything.

The film's performances are strong, particularly from Laughlin, whose brooding intensity captures the enigmatic nature of his character as he tries to overcome the difficulties of his family life. Miller also gives a memorable performance as the charismatic, yet troubled leader of the group, who is always searching for ways to validate his actions. Bakalyan is equally compelling in his portrayal of a young man who is dealing with his own set of emotional issues.

The film's direction is also noteworthy, as Altman uses a naturalistic style that immerses the viewer into the world of his characters, making the audience feel as if they were there with the group, experiencing every challenge and triumph they go through. Altman successfully convinces the audience through his realism that this scene is not a surreal representation of the world.

Furthermore, the film's musical score, featuring songs performed by rockabilly legend Eddie Cochran, perfectly captures the essence of the era, evoking feelings of rebellion and youthful angst that are at the heart of the story.

In conclusion, The Delinquents is an engaging and thought-provoking film that will appeal to fans of classic cinema as well as those interested in the history of youth culture. Its themes of identity, rebellion, and the pitfalls of misguided youth remain relevant today, making it a timeless classic that is still as relevant today as it was when it was originally released in 1957.

The Delinquents is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.