Rebel Without A Cause
1955
"I don't think I want anything, I'm nervous."
-Jim Stark
As a tribute to Mr. James Dean, and of course my past summer watching films of the 1950s, I give you my take on Rebel Without A Cause. I knew that James Dean passed away early in his life from a car accident. He actually passed away the week this film came out in 1955. Going into this film with the knowledge of his death gave me a close understanding of the realities to teen angst and peer pressure. I truly believe James Dean thought he was invincible as a person, but vividly alive as the role of Jim Stark. I think at times we all feel invincible, but, still accountable.
As topics some 65 years its tenure house commonalities with teens today, it is interesting to know that today's kids are just as vulnerable as kids of the past to be so lost. Even more so, kids are just as influenced by choices that have preceded them.
This film, known for its cinematography and James Dean's bouncy figure behavior and antics, allowed the audience to look at why teens years can be so troublesome. Why the teen years are a nervous period in time. Beyond the hormonal changes, the puberty driven desires and even the hunt for meaning in ones own purpose, teenagers are seeking to belong if not to one another, but to themselves.
Sometimes I think that the pressure to belong often outweighs the pressure to conform and rational thinking is mistaken.
This film had a subvert take on homosexuality. Yet, it never addressed it first hand. It often toyed with the idea about sexuality but, never made it overtly exposed.
Natalie Wood, Dennis Hopper and Sal Mineo starred alongside James Dean. The four of them built with star potential and poise had great onscreen chemistry and off screen connectivity. I was fascinated with the dish on Natalie Wood and the director, Nicholas Ray. Plus, how critical Dennis Hopper was in Nicholas Ray's career after this film. Even more so that out of this film more tragedy ensued after James Dean was prominent. Natalie Wood drowning off a yacht off Catalina Island in the 1980s and Sal Mineo stabbed outside his apartment in the 1960s.
It appeared to me that Rebel Without A Cause spoke to many people, mostly teens growing up in middle class America and the retraction of parental influence.
So I love this quote from the film, "I don't think I want anything, I'm nervous". Isn't it just the case sometimes?
Jim Stark's character (James Dean) is starting a new school and his mother is trying to push breakfast down him. He politely says no, but she is just so confused. I guess I can relate because isn't it true that we really don't know too much about people's struggles unless they tell us? We can watch the body language and facial expressions, but literally we really don't know what the heck is going on in someones mind because we have our own agenda's about them.
I think often that people are brought together by coincidence, by commonality, and by circumstance. It makes one believe that if people were as intertwined as they appear by these three Cs, would there be this huge question mark on people's faces when we initially meet them?
Rebel Without A Cause was about peer pressure. It was about being the new guy at a new school. It was about teens who felt their parents didn't understand them. It was about fitting in and having to fit into a clique of established peers even though the peers were somewhat lost themselves.
The fascinating thing is that I ended up doing my film analysis paper on The Breakfast Club which I found purely coincidental because I drew similarities to the film Rebel Without A Cause. I could not believe the similarities honestly, except The Breakfast Club didn't have car chases and knife fights. I couldn't believe how similar these plot lines were though. I didn't realize that there is real no answer for teens with regards to fitting in.
As I wrap up this take on Rebel, I embrace the teenage years I had. I look at them as a stepping stone to the mold I created for myself today. I look towards that foundation of movie and film history because it has shared with us many messages we maybe didn't know we already felt. James Dean will always be an icon, he will be someone who gave this film deeper meaning than its intention, it gave teens exposure.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
bobbot
Alpha Whiskey
Gary Gladstone
fingerlakeswanderer
Dennis Knight
Gabby Fox
Salon.com
Comments
I wonder if he would do an NC17 movie.
rated with hugs
Linda.. that would be interesting for sure..
Boreville... oh my ;-)
scanner.. changing schools was my mantra. Making new friends depending on the town. Literally. The intriguing thing is that many teens found their voice in this film, I owe that to the director for bringing teen angst to life.
Natalie.. yes, it is worth the viewing. I adore that you were named after Natalie Wood. She was so young in this film, so naive and innocence looking. I saw her in The Searchers with John Wayne and she just lit up the screen. Beautiful girl.
Kathy! I agree. But add that we continue to develop and I truly believe geography gives us deeper culture.