The
emotional drama that is “Rebel Without a Cause” is a must-see classic
for those who haven’t already. Released in 1955, written by Stewart
Stern and directed by Nicholas Ray, “Rebel Without a Cause” attempts to
portray the issues that teens had and were causing in society at the
time.
Although
quite different than modern teen movies, many of the underlying
currents are the same. There is an individual or small group that is
ostracized by the masses who has a specific goal to achieve. Unlike
modern movies there is a more morbid aspect to this movie compared to
the generally upbeat and harmless problems that now arise.
The
cast is headed by James Dean in the form of Jim Stark, an angry,
unstable, but kind teen. He tries to be kind to others but is extremely
awkward and not very well liked. Dean’s acting is, at times,
questionable. But he manages to fill the majority with extreme emotion
and makes his character very easy to relate to. Jim’s best friend Plato
(“Sal Mineo”) is very obviously pulled towards Jim. He is very emotional
and even more unstable. He begins the movie by being arrested for
shooting puppies. He is a good friend to Jim but is unable to control
himself. He epitomizes the idea of a social outcast. Then there’s Judy
(“Natalie Wood”). Judy is very conflicted and, in the beginning,
dislikes Jim. But immediately after Buzz’s death she becomes attached to
Jim. Her family is not ideal, although not as splintered as Jim’s or
especially Plato’s.
This
is the tale of a young man with many personal issues and his efforts to
overcome the problems caused by them. It begins with Jim being arrested
for public drunkenness. This is where he sees Judy and Plato for the
first time. When his parents arrive at the police station they begin
arguing and his family issues become apparent. In private he explains
his family situation with a police officer who sympathises with him and
tells him to come talk whenever he feels troubled.
He
arrives at school on the first day and learns that there is a class
field trip to the observatory. While here he unintentionally irritates
the school thug, Buzz. Before leaving the observatory and confronting
Buzz, Plato’s infatuation with Jim begins to show. After a brief
discussion and short outburst by Jim, he and Buzz agree to a “chickie
run.” The event consists of driving stolen cars toward a cliff and the
last one to jump out wins. The game costs Buzz his life after he is
unable to open the door. Leading to a myriad of other problems with
Buzz’s friends.
This
same event is the spark that lead to him exploding on his parents in an
attempt to explain what he’s feeling. While telling his parents what he
had done his father was very supportive. However, his mother did
nothing but yell at him and try to uproot the family once again. Jim
attacks his father in a very dramatic showing of anger at his refusal to
stand up for him. He then storms out of the house. Judy and him go to
an abandoned mansion and they are soon joined by Plato. They act as a
family for a short time before Plato falls asleep and Jim and Judy go to
be alone. Buzz’s friends arrive and begin harassing Plato. Driving
him to insanity and violence. After shooting at his fellow teens and the
police, Plato runs to the observatory where he is ultimately shot dead
by police.
At
times difficult to understand from a modern perspective, the film
portrays a time where men were allowed to show their emotions more and
be more expressive. I believe it portrayed the youth of the time very
accurately and Dean captured this perfectly while still remaining stoic
in his portrayal of Jim Stark. At the time teens were commonly
“rebellious” and tried to separate from their parents while others want
to be able to have a closer relationship to a wider array of people.
This film managed to capture all of this in the short time it took up.
All
the characters had a depth that is severely lacking in many modern
movies. The entire family, or at least an explanation of the family, is
presented for all the main characters. They have very complex
personalities and there really aren’t any “stock” characters. The issue
at hand also strikes home for many people. Probably more so for the
teens at the time of its release. There is a very strong effect from the
movie. It plays games with your emotions. One minute you feel bad for
one character. But in the next minute you hate that same character and
then it switches back again. Very few movies are as successful as this
at making the viewer feel personally involved.
I
was thoroughly impressed with nearly every scene in this movie. The
plot was very strong and the setting amplified the already powerful
emotions that were being exuded by every word. The only gripe I have is
the acting is not top-notch at times. But it is so successful at
everything else that this can be overlooked almost entirely. Everyone
should see this movie and I promise, they will feel some emotional
connection to at least one of the characters.
