Review of Giant (1956) by Sean V — 20 Jun 2010
This sprawling Texas-based epic certainly earns its title. "Giant" spans the lives of 3 central characters from the 1920s until late 1940s. The acting is simply great, and I would argue this is James Dean's finest (and indeed final) performance.
Elizabeth Taylor is also perfectly cast as the heroine who slowly changes the uncultured Texan rancher before becoming a daughter of the state herself. "Giant" tracks the historical transformation of Texas as big oil came into its own and inflames the passions through its portrayal of the pre-desegregation South.
The fine storytelling causes your opinions of the characters to noticeably improve or degenerate over time. In a nutshell, this movie could be called the Gone with the Wind of the 1950s, larger than life itself.
This review of Giant (1956) was written by Sean V on 20 Jun 2010.
Giant has generally received positive reviews.
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