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Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 5/05, 1/14, 2/17

JDea
1/14: Although the problems of the three teenagers are nebulously trivial and melodramatic, Rebel Without a Cause is a highly regarded picture, thanks to James Dean.

How James Dean acted, moved, and did things differently, he was breaking through barriers like no one had done before or ever since. Marlon Brando demonstrated The Method, and James Dean took it to the next level.

Without question, James Dean abused a lot of rules when it came to conventional human behavior because everything he did in the three films he starred in was unthinkable. Yet he influenced a generation of actors who wanted to be the next Marlon Brando. On the other hand, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo are all right; it's evident their performances were simply elevated by the presence of James Dean. Hence, what a surprise the first two were Oscar-nominated while he wasn't.

By the way, notice the empty pool at the abandoned mansion. It's the same one used in Sunset Boulevard. It was filled with water, so the Billy Wilder classic could start the film with William Holden floating above.

All in all, because of his untimely death, James Dean is forever an icon, and Rebel Without a Cause exemplifies why.

2/17: Rebel Without a Cause is a strange high school classic picture because of how confusing and vague the teenagers' problems are, yet James Dean's performance is undeniably brilliant.

Only if the issues could be made more clear, giving it a '10' would probably happen for me. The weakest link is Sal Mineo. Homosexuality is plainly written all over his character's face, and he's just a needy puppy with mental problems. I bet Jim Stark found him creepy but didn't have the heart to tell him.

Undoubtedly, James Dean is the show, having become an icon overnight and thus a staple of the Beat Generation. On the other hand, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo are okay but have been largely overshadowed by James Dean.

All in all, James Dean is the sole reason why Rebel Without a Cause is an enduring classic.