The ultimate teen angst movie. As far as James Dean vehicles go, I think I may prefer East of Eden over this. However, this is Dean at his most iconic. Because of that, it’s required viewing. Amazingly enough, its power hasn’t diminished in over seventy years.
Moody Jim (Dean) moves to a new town with his emotionally aloof parents hoping to make a fresh start. Almost immediately, he gets into knife fights and chickie runs with the rough crowd of juvenile delinquents led by Buzz (Corey Allen). When Buzz is killed during a drag race, Jim tries to do the right thing, but his rough and tumble friends have other ideas.
Director Nicholas Ray gives the film a larger-than-life scope, which magnifies the troubles of teenagers (who up until then were marginalized in cinema, unless you count maybe the Bowery Boys) and makes their troubles seem downright Shakespearean at times. Dean’s arguments with his parents could’ve seemed maudlin in lesser hands, but thanks to Ray, they feel harrowing and tragic. Also, the knife fight sequence, not to mention the overall themes of honor and responsibility would’ve looked right at home in a samurai movie. The big chickie run scene is a real showstopper too.
The supporting performances are also terrific. Natalie Wood is great as the tough gal next door with a heart of gold. Sal Mineo puts in a sad and heartbreaking turn as Jim’s pal, Plato. Nick Adams and Dennis Hopper also make big impressions in their small amount of screen time.
If there is a fault, it’s that the third act where Dean, Wood, and Mineo play house in an abandoned mansion isn’t quite as powerful as what came before. It in no way diminishes the drama though. The final scene at the Griffith Park Observatory is a real winner as well.
Dean died shortly before the movie was released, cementing his legendary status.
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