James Dean became the inspiration in my life in wanting to pursue a acting career. Clearly that never ended up happening, but my love for this incredible star has never faded away along with that dream. Rebel Without A Cause is my 2nd favorite movie (nothing can compare to Stand By Me) and each time I get to re-watch it, I remember why this movie is such a classic. Along with James Dean portraying a rebellious adolescent who is just trying to do something good for once, is working side by side by another star, Natalie Wood. Another case of teen angst, in which Wood's case is that her father doesn't treat her like his little g
irl anymore. The family dynamics showcased how it wasn't the teens who were creating the conflict, but the parents for ultimately not being there for their children. If actor Sal Mineo's father or even mother had been around long enough , they would have realized the pain and suffering this child was enduring. Instead, his nanny tried to play the parent and the house keeper, but of course nothing can truly make up for the lack of parents in his life.
On a side note, all three stars of this film died tragic deaths. First James Dean in a car accident after only starring in three movies, then Natalie Wood in a boating accident, and Sal Mineo was stabbed to death. I forgot to mention that wasn't a happy side note.
Rebel Without a Cause will live on to be a legend in the Film Industry, not only for it's brilliant script and fliming, but for its phenomenal acting by three great American Film Stars.
i really like your interpretation of the film and i definitely agree with it in that the parents were just as much a part of the problem as children were. i was having trouble figuring out how i was going to tackle the parent vs. child relationship roles in my blog but i think your post has helped. so thanks! it also made me realize a bit better why this is such a classic, because after watching it i was kind of like..eh, i could take it or leave it.
ReplyDeleteThere really is something special about James Dean, isn't there? I can't think of anybody today who has such odd intense charisma except maybe Depp, and he's gotten overexposed.
ReplyDeleteI'd have liked to see you dig a bit deeper into the truly strange family dynamics represented in this movie. Dad with an apron? Dad smacking his daughter for a daughterly kiss? And the way that poor Plato was looking at James Dean? A lot going on there....
hmmm...Perfeser's comments got me thinking alot now about Plato's intentions for James Dean...but anyway...yea, Dean is an amazing actor who created this intense character, i loved his lines "your tearing me apart" and "you are involved!!!" great stuff there!
ReplyDeletehehe, yeah james dean was a huge thing with a group of us girls in highschool. Looooved Stand by Me ! That's interesting that James Dean was your inspiration want to get into acting. Very cool
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