Ralph Macchio: Karate Bluesman?
There’s been a lot of fuss these last few years about the so-called Hollywood “Brat Pack”—that group of young movie stars that’ve been featured in such teenoriented movies as St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink. Yet, one name that never seems to get included with this group just may be the best of the bunch: Ralph Macchio.
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Ralph Macchio: Karate Bluesman?
There’s been a lot of fuss these last few years about the so-called Hollywood “Brat Pack”—that group of young movie stars that’ve been featured in such teenoriented movies as St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink. Yet, one name that never seems to get included with this group just may be the best of the bunch: Ralph Macchio. No one plays the underdog who eventually makes good better than Macchio.
His characters have all been the likable “kid from next door”—and we often hear that the kid has genuine girl appeal.
Although he had bit parts here and there over the years, Ralph made his first big screen appearance in The Outsiders, Francis Ford Coppola’s film adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel about teenagers growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. The very young (at the time) Ralph played the youngest member of the gang who is critically burned, spends most of the film in the hospital, and tragically passes away before the film’s conclusion. Many felt that Ralph stole the film with his sensitive, tear-jerking portrayal.
But Ralph’s biggest break—and rise to stardom—came with his portrayal of the title character in The Karate Kid, a feel-good treat from two summers ago. The Karate Kid merged elements of the original Rocky with My Bodyguard (another teen classic) to become one of 1983’s biggest box office sensations.
His most recent screen appearance was in Crossroads, in which Ralph played a teenage guitar genius, classically trained but yearning to be a genuine Delta bluesman in the tradition of Robert Johnson. Ralph’s character hooks up with a bluesman who really knew Johnson, and the two hit the road together, giving the young guitarist the experience and education he needs to realize his dream.
Despite its excellent plot and some critical raves, Crossroads didn’t do as well as might have been expected. But Ralph Macchio fans shouldn’t fear. The good news is that Macchio will be starring in The Karate Kid II, which should be hitting the big screen this summer! All the stars from the original will be returning, which alone should promise a hit. But will it recapture the magic? All we can say is: karate bullies, beware!
