Review of Giant (1956) by Jason B — 29 Aug 2010

What a film! The title fits the movie, for it is giant in every way possible. It is giant in stars! It is giant in length, and it is even giant in thought provoking, because even after 54 years, this film is relevant to today, in fact the little progress that has happened in between the two is somewhat scary. Although, you could chose to see it in a more kind light, and just recongize George Stevens as one of the greatest directors of all time, and an expert at understanding human relationships.

But what makes this film a permeant mark on the timeline of cinema, is the ghost that walks across the screen, James Dean, an eternal star that along with few others, have launched into immortality and into legendary status! A man known for his roles as the often misunderstood kid looking for acceptance in his own life (Rebel Without A Cause) comes out in a different character, a character that if played by another actor would have fallen into a cliche businessman stereotype. However, James Dean proves himself to be a great actor in the finest of 3 major roles! Yes, I said it! James Dean played a rotten bastard who has wealth but lacks love, better than he did a misguided kid!

Along with James Dean, (who really plays a supporting role), Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor prove their worth, in noteworthy performances as well. In fact, Rock Hudson proved himself beyond capable of being able to match the likes of Mr. Dean, however, in the event of Mr. Dean's death, Rock Hudson's performance inevitably succumbed to the power of James Dean.

So! What makes this film an everlasting treasure, was a legendary director, a thought provoking plot that made us question our values of equality, the most beautiful and one of the most talented actresses of that time, Elizabeth Taylor. Rock Hudson, a leading man of the generation who also, had a wonderful gift in acting! And of course as previously mentioned, James Dean who was a classic Method Actor, who might I add, also was very attractive. So with the combo of all this talent, and the great cinematography and musical score, comes a Hollywood Golden Age classic that appears to be timeless as it still moves me and still captivates me today, all 3 and a half hours!

George Stevens, who also directed A Place In The Sun, creates a fragile masterpiece, and did exactly what made him special as a director. George Stevens had a talent for bringing out the best in actors, and he was a perfectionist. Giant, originally a 2 and a half hour film, brings out some of the greatest performances by all 3 title actors, and all supporting actors. So it is with no surprise that George Stevens directed such a film, because he unlike most at the time, treated the audience like real people, and not 12 year olds, making the audience think about their own lives.

As for acting, I won't go into great detail, as I have already gone on in great admiration of the actors especially that of Mr. Dean, to the extent I have practically declared him a God, which you could say is my "theatrical" side. However, he has become a God, a God in acting, inspiring many of the world's greatest actors and performers today, so I do not need to say more about him, except for the fact that his last speech, the last moments of James Dean ever on a film, are truely haunting. A sad, chilling, and cruelly perfect way for him to go out on a bang...as a sad, pathetic, lonely man, who only becomes more pathetic, and only rage is the emotion I get towards him, in a role that seems to take every bit of life from James Dean. As for Elizabeth Taylor, by Giant, she was the most sought after actress in the world. She was considered the most beautiful, for good reason too, and one of the most talented actresses of all time, in this role she plays a fiesty independent woman, who marries a classic, southern texas man, Rock Hudson who goes through the change of seeing people differently and of equality. The two combined are a comedic, dramatic, light hearted, thought provoking couple, that often question the relationship between a man and a woman. As for the supporting cast, I feel guilty, lumping them into one group, for they were fantastic on ever level, coming in and out of the story, the supporting cast plays their part and then some. To create, all together, one of the finest ensemble groups in a film ever!

Well, I must apologize, for I gave no synopsis to the film, I gave no comments on it's writing, or other great aspects of this film! However much like the title, my review would have to be GIANT, in order to fit all that in, and maybe I will soon. But if you have not seen this film, it is worth seeing, and this is coming from a person who is not a fan of epics, and found Lawrence of Arabia to be a bore.

This film is a classic, and will remain timeless as long as the human race lives, due to it's focus on the struggle of equality, this film is an epic, in lack of a better term, this film is Giant!