Have you seen "Rebel without a cause(1955)"?

Question

It stars James Dean. It's my favorite movie.

The movie always was in color.
"Rebel without a cause" IS a great movie.

Natalie Wood was lookin' good back in '55.

Answer 1

Actually, they started filming it in black and white but then switched to color.
It's one of my favorite movies. :D I watch it once a day...

Answer 2

Brilliant cast of well-known Hollywood icons in hard-hitting treatment of story that focuses on the hopelessness exhibited by many middle-class teenagers who were too young to recall the pains of WWII, but saw daily reminders of the threat of "the bomb", as well as inequities around them.

James Dean stands out as the troubled kid whose parents keep "moving" to escape their community's effects of their son's strange behavior. Equally great are the performances of Natalie Wood as a "wanna-be-bad-girl" who is hurt by her parents' implications that she is a "tramp"; and the child-like Sal Mineo, who lives in a mansion with a maid, but feels the pains of neglect from never-present parents.

The trio first meet at a police station, where they all see a well-meaning officer who is genuinely interested in getting these troubled kids back on the right track rather than throwing the book at them. He does seem to reach James Dean, who seeks help after getting into more trouble.

The relationship between the James Dean character and that of Sal Mineo is somewhat elusive. At times a more than friendly association is suggested, then the appearance of Natalie Wood makes it look like an odd threesome. 1950s America was definitely unprepared for any "spelling out" of suggested terms, so for nearly 50 years now anyone's guess as to what was going on here is as good as the next.

The supporting cast include Jim Backus as James Dean's well-to-do yet wimpish and henpecked father as well as a young Dennis Hopper as a member of a greaser gang. The parade of big name stars in itself is eye-candy of the highest caliber! References to scientific findings are still awe-inspiring today. Showing young college students' reactions to film footage during a lecture shows that humans can't fully grasp the insignificance of earthly life compared to the vastness of the universe. Carefully watch the final scene as the end credits are shown, when this "point" is driven home.

Rebel Without A Cause is one of the great classics with a sociological impact that has seldom been reached by any film, and likely never surpassed. This film is a ceaseless source of discussions. I recommend this film also for high school History, Sociology or Language Arts classes.

Answer 3

This film bears watching once every 5 years or so. It is astonishing on many levels, not least of which is the exploration of the underbelly of the happy suburban post-war years in middle class America. Yes, we all rave about the beautiful and sadly short lived life of James Dean who died before this movie opened. To die also in a manner highlit in this movie - he was co-incidentally a promo for it. Fast driving and fast cars. Poor James. What I enjoy most though in all of it is the afore-mentioned exploration of hitherto fairly underdeveloped film themes in the America of the fifties. For one, there is the underlying homosexual element to the Sal Mineo character and his obsession with James. And here James is allowed to indulge and return this love, not overtly, but it is there, the tolerance and acknowledgment of it. The character of Judy, played by Natalie Wood is also of tremendous interest. Here there is an incestuous component in her relationship to her father. It seems to me that the father is terrified of his attraction to his gorgeous daughter and keeps pushing her away to the degree that at one point he slaps her as she tries to kiss him. She escapes from home at every chance seeking male attention from wherever she can get it. James' parents are a little overblown and too quickly resolved at the end. But the appearance of an "emasculated" Jim Backus (he wears an apron in case we don't quite get it) is a sight for sore eyes. A little dated in the world of today but so far ahead of its time in 1955. 9 out 10. Satisfying on many levels.

Answer 4

It is a film of 50's America and is well made. The ending is sad, so was James Dean's short life.

Answer 5

i replaced right into a goody goody 2 shoes growing up-after I hit 22 and moved out from the mum and dad in after I rebelled and yeah--I had a reason it replaced into to stay ultimately, while not having to experience like a computer of sh1t--my mum and dad were so controlling--it took somewhat to mellow down-after I hit 30 yet i definately made up for lost time and it least it wasn't unlawful or something.

Answer 6

Yes. I wanted to find an abandoned house with a cool pool, like they hung out at. Plus Dennis Hopper is a young'un in it.

Answer 7

It was a great classic and I have it in my collection. A great standard to rate movies by. Splendid story line and a dynamic story.

Answer 8

Yep. Just got it from Netflix the other day. I really enjoyed it. Was a little sad at the end.

Answer 9

Yes, it was awesome. So was Natalie Wood.

Answer 10

I have! I saw the movie in color (newly done by movie people). I am so sad for his death.