Rebel Without a Cause

I watched "Rebel Without a Cause" tonight. While it falls far short of other films I've watched recently (except for "Bodysnatchers") in terms of the camera placement, lighting and color, it's a film that's more about the era than anything else. There is also no denying the star power of James Dean. Half the time he looks like he doesn't even care and yet he's the entire picture. He really is great- I can't tell if he's trying to underact or not. Either he's a brilliant actor or he is who he is on screen. The story line is sometimes silly and the fact that the whole film takes place over 24 hours ads to that. It's an interesting character study film, because pretty much everyone is in the wrong. There really isn't anyone to identify with, and that's kind of the point. In the end, it's a picture about irrational kids and the dumb stuff they do, and it's become iconic for 50s Hollywood. On the DVD there are some old Warner Bros. promotional films from 1955 including an interview with James Dean. He talks about the dangers of drag racing and reminds the "youth of today" to be careful behind the wheel. Slightly ironic.