Review of Rebel Without a Cause (1955) by James S — 02 Aug 2010
Sure, James Dean is an icon, but what's truly iconic is Ray's film. The look, the tone, the feeling that everyone in the movie, every aspect of the movie, speaks of Nicholas Ray. The gay subtext between Mineo and Dean that dominates and overtakes the other themes, the screen smoldering and boiling until the emotional sculpture is born in the light and shadows, the horizonal lineage that Ray copped from Frank Lloyd Wright.
The dramatic truth is more compelling than ever, and as relevant as any other timeless need, and like any great play does not age in the same way as other kinds of visual entertainment. A beautiful companion to Bigger Than Life, cut from the same cloth.
Endlessly watchable, yielding more about craft and being human with each viewing. Amazing to see it as the cinematic ancestor of Fight Club in the mansion scene, the intertwined sexually exploding threesome, Dean cutting his way through his part using chops that Pitt takes outright and expands into new century modernity.
Oh yeah, this is one hot movie. And, like, every time we see a Nicholas Ray movie we want more. Every time. Great stuff.
This review of Rebel Without a Cause (1955) was written by James S on 02 Aug 2010.
Rebel Without a Cause has generally received very positive reviews.
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