I think the title ‘Rebel Without A Cause’ got me thinking that James Dean was a dangerous and feared bad ass. After I watched the movie, I realized that he wasn’t. But at one point in his life as James in the movie, he did. Then as I discovered James Dean died not long after the movie, made himself an icon for a teenage rebel. Wow, such a tragedy.
Jim Stark (James Dean) got himself a problem with the popular gang in his new college. Want to have a clean path, Jim accept the challenge to fight with the leader gang, Buzz (Corey Allen) but not with harmful weapon. Buzz agree and make the fight to be racing cars to the edge of the hill held at night.
James also has issues with his parents way of avoiding problems because of the bad image and fear of the circumstances, which made the family always move places due to James’ ‘attitude’. When James asked his father about whether he defend his honor or not, the man didn’t give him a brave answer which makes James to come to the race.
Meanwhile, his neighbor, Judy (Natalie Wood), happens to be the Buzz’s girlfriend also has issues with her parents. Judy and Jim seem to have attraction to one another but can’t do much because of the girl is taken. James also have a bullied ‘friend’, Plato (Sal Mineo) who warned him about the gang, he seems to be the only person on his side.
At the race car, Buzz actually expressed that he likes James as a person but go on with the race because it’s a ‘game’. But he ended up died falling with his car from the hill. Realized that this could be a big case, all of the gang run from the location before the cops arrive. All is left is James, his only friend and the shocking girlfriend. Together they try to be safe from the gang’s threat and accusation in one night.
Lucky for James to have this awareness for maybe he is blessed with strong mind. He can’t stand the way his father always follow his mother’s worries and panics, but unable to stand for himself and his son. Perhaps James’ bold mind makes him able to stand for himself, that’s why he never run from bullies.
James Dean lived and breathe as the character he played, though I must say he looked rather old as a college boy. Also the heroine in the movie was a classic beauty, a threat and also a leading woman in the story. Her boldness matched James’ character.
There was a bit of leap or rather insensitive situation, when your boyfriend just died in an accident but you already involve with another man, all happens in the same night! I’m talking about Judy. Girl, I know it’s James Dean, but give a little heart. I find it a bit unusual how some people keep joking and playing around after someone just died and they were involved with the incident. This might be just to keep the movie lighten up, but I find it a bit creepy.
Rebel Without A Cause was a bit dramatic for a teen movie, especially the part where someone holds a gun in the few last scenes. But perhaps it is that serious when it comes to a teen pressures. I felt that the movie was indeed original, but I didn’t find the last shocking twist as charming as the rest. In fact, it revealed how James was a sensitive man. Perhaps there was lack of depth between James and his little friend’s bond as friends.
But what we can learn from it was, never underestimate the people you bully. A note for parents to be more aware of what they teach to their children. Also, when you need to, stand for yourself and face the problem.
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