Review of Rebel Without a Cause (1955) by Stephen B — 19 May 2011

Another iconic film of the fifties and I must say, this is the best fifties film I have seen today. For me, it surpasses the quality of Hitchcock and It's A Wonderful life which were previously my favourite things about that decade. The performances of James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo were both outstanding and inspiring to watch and the fact they all died so young is simply heart breaking to think about. Most of all, this film has what a perfect film like Taxi Driver or Aliens has - heart. The story is not extremely deep and complex but the total simplicity of it is enough for it to be one that is forever remembered in the future of the film industry.

Rebel is the simple story of Jim Stark, the new kid in town whose loneliness, frustration and anger mirrored those of post-war teens - and reverberate more than forty years later. Both Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo were nominated Academy Awards for their beautiful performances and the director, Nicholas Ray, was also an Oscar nominee. The American Film Institute in their mostly infinite wisdom entered this into the Top-100 American Films of all time. When going back and reading what this film achieved, I cannot say I disagree with anybody who says it is a prestigious film worthy of lifetime remembrance. All the aspects of this film were simply magnificent and Rebel has instantly climbed its way into my top 20 films ever made.

James Dean gave one of the most believable performances I have ever seen as the confused teen we are forced to fall in love with. Throughout the duration of the film, I managed to relate to the character on the screen plentifully. What I loved most, however, about Dean's character was the way he was presented. The film showed masterfully how he is only such a Rebel because he feels isolated and cut off, not only from the rest of the world, but his own family too. It is hard to think of a time when I have seen such a good performance from any other actor. Dean is a true hero in film who needs to be respected forevermore as Jim Stark.

Sal Mineo gave one of his debut performances in this film and he was groundbreaking as Plato in this feature. Plato is both the same and different to Jim. Plato lost his parents and hates them for having left him and that is why he seems so cut-off and friendless when he tries to befriend Jim. By the end of the film, we see him for what he really is, a scared boy who is lost in the confusion that is life. Over all the characters, I think Mineo's was the best because he leads up to an absolutely amazing and heartfelt climax that had me reaching for the tissues (metaphorically).

And finally, Natalie Wood. What is very clear in this film is that the three teenagers the story follows all seem to be going through the teenage difficulties. Dean's character is not understood by his family and Mineo has been left without any parents. Wood's character has similar problems in the form of having her parents but they are not very good ones. The film shows the struggles mainly between Wood and her father; both do this very well and the whole relationship is believable. As with any film, I could see a romance between Dean and Wood blossoming from the very first time he looks at her in the film. It is their romance which brings the end of the climax down to a resolution, however.

The story itself is well thought out as the characters contrast well with it. There is a multitude of conflicts show all the way through which all help with the fantastic character build-up presented for just about every one of the characters. The story is not the kind where everything connects and nor is it one with one single issue. Instead, there are many issues and conflicts and each end connects with the start of another so that these different events flow and I found this to be unique. The way things began to unravel was brilliantly done and the talent of the cast only made it better. As an entirety, I think the story makes for a brilliant teen flick as well as representing the fact only the eighties can beat the fifties.

Overall, it is very hard to criticise this film but it is also hard to say it is only good because Rebel Without A Cause is honestly one of the best films I have seen throughout the complete duration of my life. Just about everything was perfect, down to the last blink and waving of hair. The thing that EVERYBODY is obliged to like best about this film is how accurate and truthful this film is to the life of a teenager because it casually addresses the need for fathers to talk to their sons and henceforth keep them out of trouble. One of the most classic and perfect pieces of cinema to date and through this one film , I think that Nicholas Ray should be right at the top with such directors as Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorcese, James Cameron and so on. Beautiful film.