The Wanderers **** (1979, Ken Wahl, Karen Allen, John Friedrich) – Classic Movie Review 8538

Co-writer/director Philip Kaufman delivers a highly entertaining slice of nostalgia in his 1979 teenage coming of age movie The Wanderers, with an expertly blended mix of comedy, drama, 1963 period atmosphere, rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack and some tough stuff.

The screenplay by Rose Kaufman and Philip Kaufman is based on the novel by Richard Price.

There is danger on the streets of the Bronx in the early Sixties, and the Italian-American teens at a high school band together for fun and protection.

As Richie, Joey and Nina, bright young stars Ken Wahl, John Friedrich and Karen Allen are first rate, and the movie sounds a treat (‘Walk Like a Man’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’) and looks a treat too in Michael Chapman’s Technicolor cinematography.

Also in the cast are Toni Kalem, Linda Manz, Olympia Dukakis, Tony Ganios, Alan Rosenberg, Jim Youngs, William Andrews, Erland van Lidth, Val Avery, Dolph Sweet, Michael Wright, Burtt Harris, Samm-Art Williams, Dion Albanese, George Merolle, Terri Perri, John Califano and Danny Aiello.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8538

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