Rebel Without a Cause

Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC!
Review: Certain scenes of this 1950s blockbuster may look corny now, but the film revolutionized the industry in its day. "Rebel Without a Cause" put the concept of the film-aimed-at-teenagers into high gear -- a trend that is still going today. We have this film to thank for the likes of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "The Breakfast Club," and the millions of other movies that come out now specially designed to appeal to teenagers. The film is also basically the everlasting showcase for James Dean's talent.

Dean is exceptional in the movie (he only made three during his lifetime, two of which were released after his death), playing a high school youth named Jim Stark who is trying to fit in while other teens are making sure he stays out. The film cannot be watched as anything but a stage for Dean's method acting (revolutionary and progressive in its own right in the mid 1950s). Particularly poignant is a scene about teenage drag-racing, as Dean himself would die in a car accident shortly after the filming of that scene.

"Rebel Without a Cause" is, many would argue, Dean's "finest hour." There are a handful of films that are regarded as classics of "Old Hollywood," and this is consistently near the top of the list. It speaks on multiple levels, and is considered a "classic" for good reason.

Rating:
Summary: James Dean forever
Review: The unique charisma and talent of James Dean make Rebel Without A Cause an absolute must-see for all film buffs. Dean stars as Jim, a lonely and misunderstood teenager whose trouble-making has forced his family to move to a new neighborhood. On his first day, Jim alienates a gang of boys, gets a girlfriend (Natalie Wood), befriends a neurotic outcast (Sal Mineo), and takes part in a "chicky-run" over a cliff.

Every minute of this film has become beloved by its fans, thanks to Dean, who owned the screen in his famous white tee shirt, red jacket, and jeans. 50s teens thought Dean spoke for them and they idolized him. He still deserves his icon status, because of the unforgettable character he created. When he cried to his parents, "You're tearing me apart!" you believed it was real. He was the epitome of the cool rebel.

Almost fifty years later, the character created by James Dean still rings true. They say a thing of beauty is a joy forever. That applies both to James Dean and this movie. A must-see classic film.

Rating:
Summary: Life ends at dawn
Review: Geddit? OK, the one-star reviewers have a point. This famous and vividly memorable film is melodramatic and over-stated. But, the fact is, it works; and that is the be-all and end-all of dramatic art. Nothing on the theatrical stage is ever remotely realistic. Every movie ever made is full of all kinds of holes: the question is, does it hold your interest or doesn't it? This is an exceptionally compelling, well-told story. Even when a part of you is objecting that it is dated, even corny at times, it still forces you to feel for the characters. The chicken-run is beautifully choreographed, and the sense of numbness brought on by the death of the slightly-less-obnoxious-than-he-seems Buzz Gunderson is handled with a very sure touch. In fact, the direction is extremely skilled throughout, and the script is quite subtle, without being either overly complex or blatant. I never saw anything wrong with "method" acting, which seems to me merely requiring the actor to intensely feel and live the part being played. Why does Grand Opera have so many fans? Some kind of essential truth is being stated in a special kind of way; and this film similarly succeeds in spelling out some kind of truth, as 90 percent of those who've seen it will concede. It is sort of operatic. If you want to be good, if you want to be loved, suffer and die young. First said approximately 2000 or more years ago, I believe. One gripe: why do so many reviewers on these entertaining sites feel they have to spell out the plot? It's pointless. Surely once or twice is enough.