Rebel Without a Cause

Need I say it but this film is incredibly dated. It's interesting in the sense that going to the museum is interesting; the way family relationships are depicted is mindbendingly surreal. Dean sure did have a pretty face, but I'm not convinced of his immortal iconic status. For one thing, I fail to see how he's relatable to today's youth, and for another everything in RWAC seems to take place in a consequence-free vacuum. Hey that pseudo-gay guy just got fucking shot! Who gives a shit! Eyyyyy!

Average and dated at best. The juvenile delinquency storylines seem conservative for modern viewers (although Plato's puppy killing would mark him as a future school shooter). And the parental drama is too light & melodramatic. But it's a good-looking picture, especially in its widescreen color. And by showing that young folk will flock to anything, it made teenage movies a viable business. Marginal recommendation as a timepiece, and nothing more. Take a Giant Step (1959) hits much harder.

I don't mind watching a film about disoriented, mindless rebels, but damnit, I want my idiots to have a heart. I hated spending time with them as the film drew to its close, which is a shame since everything leading up to Buzz' death was excellent. Watch Mean Creek aswell, at least there the characters don't succumb to apathy in the aftermath of a tragic event. lol at shebang's review

This has not aged very well. I imagine its impact was greater in the context of the beat generation and the emerging counter-culture, and perhaps more notably in the shadow of James Dean's death. But today it comes off as dated and maudlin, and I'm none too impressed with Dean's performance. Nicholas Ray's talent behind the camera is apparent through some nifty cinematography, but it's not enough to save this picture.

Shows its age, but Dean's slightly odd performance kept me interested for the most part. It does get a bit too melodrama-y for my tastes, plus I couldn't stand the kid that felt the need to tag along with his much cooler mancrush constantly; if you see your semi-friend enter an abandoned building with an emotionally vulnerable lady, don't barge in to use them as your surrogate family. It won't work. Trust me.