Darry isn't the villain. It's told in first person from Ponyboy's perspective, and Ponyboy feels that way. The reader should realize (as the other characters do) that Darry only wants what's best for PB but isn't very good at fathering. PB is an unreliable narrator. That's what always amazes me about Hinton -- some of the moments in the book are amazingly sophisticated for such a young writer.

The movie leaves out the best of these moments, as well as Ponyboy's grieving process and most of the other elements with depth. It's a good action flick I guess, but a very superficial take on the story.