Rebel Without a Cause contains James Deans' most influential performance. He plays the deeply tormented teen Jim Stark, who cannot stand living in a superficial society that refuses to show him any love. Of course, Jim's social criticisms are as true to life today as they were when the film was originally released. This is what maintains the film's elemental power. Writer/director Nicholas Ray shows how sometimes rebellious teens understand the world better than their clueless parents.
Nicolas Ray's use of color is nothing short of spectacular. Each character is dressed in clothes that express their heartfelt emotions. Jim's immortal red jacket is the perfect symbol of his fragile nerves and restless heart, which spends the entire movie searching for love and acceptance.
As is the case with his other two films, East of Eden and Giant, James Dean is the movie. He posses the rarest of acting gifts - you simply can't take your eyes off of him. How many young actors today can even hope to have the same affect on audiences?
Nicolas Ray's use of color is nothing short of spectacular. Each character is dressed in clothes that express their heartfelt emotions. Jim's immortal red jacket is the perfect symbol of his fragile nerves and restless heart, which spends the entire movie searching for love and acceptance.
As is the case with his other two films, East of Eden and Giant, James Dean is the movie. He posses the rarest of acting gifts - you simply can't take your eyes off of him. How many young actors today can even hope to have the same affect on audiences?