Rent Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Teenage Melodrama. - Rebel Without a Cause review by Steve

This legendary drama about the postwar controversy of teenage delinquency is inevitably dated but still works better than any other fifties film on that subject. And it's a memorial to the iconic star James Dean who was dead by the time of the release.

He plays a new kid in town with a history of petty juvenile crime, who attracts interest from a disturbed gang of young offenders. Natalie Wood is a valley girl who gets a thrill from hanging out with the slum kids. With a damaged, gay outsider (Sal Mineo) the trio make up an improvised family which none of them can find at home. Jimmy now feels a touch old, but Natalie (17) and Sal (16) look endearingly authentic.

It is probably naive on the theme of antisocial youth. But the voice of the first teenagers trying to find their own ethics to make sense of their nascent freedom is quite powerful. It's a fascinating period piece which Nicholas Ray shoots in the genre motifs of science fiction; the small town which must get through a long night of crisis in a threatening universe- as evoked by the climax in the planetarium.

The Cinemascope and the stunning colour are a sensual joy. The fantastic clothes create much of the iconic imagery.  But it's the performance of James Dean that dominates and we still believe in his troubled alienated antihero trying to understand the rules of his confusing and changing times. Which are tearing him apart.

A great loss to cinema - Rebel Without a Cause review by VS

I believe that this was the first of James Dean's 3 major roles in Hollywood films before his very untimely death. It was certainly interesting to watch his performance, but the film has dated rather badly. The parents are stock characters straight out of central casting as is Dean's friend rendered unstable by a neglectful mother. Of course, parents who can't manage to communicate with their teenage children remains a hardy perennial in films. The difference is that we have become used to more nuances and complexities. So I'd recommend this film to either a student of cinema (and "method" acting) or to someone of my age groups who is looking back to her own teens.

Over rated - Rebel Without a Cause review by OL

Whilst it may of been shocking at the time. It now sees a bit dated. Basically a bunch of teenage delinquents with James Dean trying to stay out of trouble.