The Best Films of James Dean

1. Rebel Without a Cause
2. Giant
3. East of Eden

Other appearances:
Has Anybody Seen My Gal
Fixed Bayonets
Trouble Along the Way
Sailor Beware

Giant (1956)

This is an epic film that stars Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean, with direction by George Stevens. It shows the ongoing conflict between a rancher (Hudson) and his former hired hand who becomes rich off oil (Dean). As Jett Rink (Dean) exclaims, he becomes even richer than the rancher Bic Benedict (Hudson) ever dreamed. The relationship escalates when Rink makes a rude remark to Leslie Benedict (Taylor), and some punches are traded. From this point on the three main characters slowly grow older and the Benedicts have children. In his final screen appearance, Dean's character is suppose to give a speech at a large banquet. However he is so drunk he falls flat on his face a complete wreck. Giant was ahead of his time by giving commentary about the race relations with Mexicans. It also took young actors and progressively made them look older, something that was quite unusual. Although this was Dean's final movie I think it can be said he came full circle. He began as a youth in East of Eden and by the end of Giant he was a old man.

                                                        4.5/5 Stars

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

A film starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo,  with direction by Nicholas Ray, Rebel Without a Cause follows three teenagers who are confused and conflicted about their lives. 

The opening sequence rolling behind the opening credits has the inebriated Jim Stark laying in the street fiddling with a toy monkey. Then, he is brought into juvenile hall and simultaneously the story gives us a glimpse of not only the rowdy Jim, but discontent Judy, and the distant boy Plato. Each one has their own personal pain and thus this film from the beginning really focuses on three rebels who embody the adolescent generation. James Dean is Jim Stark, the new kid on the block, who is constantly moving with his parents. In the station when his parents retrieve him, there is obvious tension on all fronts which include heated arguments and outbursts on the part of Jim. The morning after being brought in he meets Judy only to get mixed up with her friends. Stark however also befriends the isolated loner Plato who was in the station the night before. The trouble with the other teens starts with a switchblade contest during a school excursion to Griffith Observatory, but the stakes get bigger when they compete in a "Chickie Run" over a cliff. Stark lives but the other boy, Buzz, dies in the accident. Everyone flees the scene before the police arrive and stuck between a rock and a hard place, Dean and Wood's characters gravitate towards each other. Their parents seemingly do not understand them and so they find comfort in each other instead. Their new-found friend Plato tags along as they hold up in an abandoned mansion for the night. They spend the evening lounging around, making light of their parents, and just talking. However, all does not bode well when some of the high school thugs come looking for Stark. Plato flees the scene with a gun and soon he has policemen on his tail. Plato is in a paranoid and unstable state. Jim tries to console him and bring him out peacefully. But despite his best efforts tragedy strikes one final blow.  All is not for naught however because Jim's father (Jim Bachus) vows to be a better and stronger parent than he was before. 

Following his breakthrough in East of Eden, Rebel would be the movie that defined Dean's short but iconic career. His line "you're tearing me apart!" would further define the angst felt by many teens at the time. There is a certain aura around this film for some reason, maybe because of Dean's portrayal that is at times so moody, and at others so subtle, but powerful nonetheless. I think part of the credit must go to director Nicholas Ray who gave Dean free reign to improvise and develop his character in the way he saw fit. The film is tragic in another sense because all the primary stars died at an early age. Dean's is the most remembered, but Mineo and Wood, both died very young as well. In Rebel Without a Cause they all gave memorable performances and there are other notable players in this film including the usually comedic Jim Bachus and a very young Dennis Hopper.

I think Rebel ultimately survives today because it tells a universal tale of a generational divide and a divide between young people fighting peer pressure. In the heads of teenagers the world can become jumbled and between school, fitting in, and home life it can be a struggle. This film dramatically illustrates that fact. So maybe the kids look different, the cars are older and such, but the struggles of Jim Stark, Judy, and Plato, are still relatively the same.  I must say this film really makes me want to visit the Griffith Observatory too, because it became such an integral part of this film's story and it is still around to this day.

James Dean only had three major film performances and you could make a case for which was the best. I think it is safe to say that this role was his most iconic. It's hard not to identity him with his red jacket, blue jeans, and ubiquitous cigarette. He was the Rebel Without a Cause.

5/5 Stars

East of Eden (1954)

In his first great film role, James Dean plays a rebellious son named Cal Trask who lives with his father and brother Aron in Salinas. Directed by Elia Kazan from the Steinbeck novel, the movie chronicles Cal's struggles in the shadow of his favored brother Aron. Despite good intentions at first, Cal is constantly rejected the praise that his brother garners. Thus embittered, he lashes out at his brother, falls for Aron's girl, and turns their father's world upside down. With his performance Dean brings alive the character who is himself an allegory for Cain. Julie Harris, Raymond Massey, and Jo Van Fleet all deliver good performances that play off Cal. Overall this is a classic adaption of a classic author. 

 4/5 Stars

James Dean

James Dean was a method actor who has become legendary because of the image he created and the relative short span of his career which was ended by a tragic car accident. His only three starring roles were in fact in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. His moody and intense performances as alienated young men and a powerful oil tycoon won him two posthumous academy award nominations. This further helped to solidify his legacy.

East of Eden (1954)
In his first great film role, James Dean plays a rebellious son named Cal Trask who lives with his father and brother Aron in Salinas. Directed by Elia Kazan from the Steinbeck novel, the movie chronicles Cal's struggles in the shadow of his favored brother Aron. Despite good intentions at first, Cal is constantly rejected the praise that his brother garners. Thus embittered, he lashes out at his brother, falls for Aron's girl, and turns their father's world upside down. With his performance Dean brings alive the character who is himself an allegory for Cain. Julie Harris, Raymond Massey, and Jo Van Fleet all deliver good performances that play off Cal. Overall this is a classic adaption of a classic author. 

8/10 rating

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
A film starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo, Rebel Without a Cause follows three teenagers who are confused and conflicted about their lives. Dean is Jim Stark, the new kid on the block and he meets Wood only to get mixed up with her friends. First it starts with a switchblade contest at the Griffith Observatory but the stakes get bigger when they compete in a "Chickie Run" over a cliff. Dean lives but the other boys dies in the accident. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Dean and Wood's characters gravitate towards each other. Their new-found friend Plato tags along as they hold out in an abandoned mansion for the night. However all does not bode well and Jim is eventually devastated. All is not for naught however because Jim's father (Jim Bachus) vows to be a better parent then he was before. Following his breakthrough in East of Eden, Rebel would be the movie that defined Dean's short career. His line "your tearing me apart!" would further define the angst felt by many teens at the time.

9/10 rating

Giant (1955)
This is an epic film that stars Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean, with direction by George Stevens. It shows the ongoing conflict between a rancher (Hudson) and his former hired hand who becomes rich off oil (Dean). As Jett Rink (Dean) exclaims, he becomes even richer than the rancher Bic Benedict (Hudson) ever dreamed. The relationship escalates when 
Rink makes a rude remark to Leslie Benedict (Taylor), and some punches are traded. From this point on the three main characters slowly grow older and the Benedicts have children. In his final screen appearance, Dean's character is suppose to give a speech at a large banquet. However he is so drunk he falls flat on his face a complete wreck. Giant was ahead of his time by giving commentary about the race relations with Mexicans. It also took young actors and progressively made them look older, something that was quite unusual. Although this was Dean's final movie I think it can be said he came full circle. He began as a youth in East of Eden and by the end of Giant he was an old man.

9/10 rating