"Rebel Without a Cause", released by Warner Bros.on October 7th, 1995, is arguably the most famous movie of the 1950s. In addition to directing the movie, Nicholas Ray wrote the story with the assistance of Stewart Stern and Irving Shulman. Talented main actors, combined with a cleverly developed and intriguing storyline, make for a great movie that has been appreciated and enjoyed by several generations.
17-year-old Jim Stark (James Dean) has recently moved to Los Angeles to flee from problems and trouble he has caused elsewhere. His parents have done this multiple times for the sake of their reputation. After being arrested for public intoxication, he meets Judy (Natalie Wood) at the police station. Viewers are also introduced to another important character, Plato (Sal Mineo), at the station. Here at the station, Jim's internal family problems are revealed. His parents often argue, and his weak-willed father continually gives in to the wishes of his mother. This fighting tears away at Jim, and he feels betrayed and alone due to the fighting and lack of strength in his father.
Jim also works to fit in and make friends at his new school, coping with his problems from home all the while. As the movie progresses, he befriends Judy and Plato, who both also have problems at home and seek to compensate for them elsewhere. "Rebel Without a Cause" gives an insight to the 1950s teenager's struggle to communicate and be understood by his or her parents and to be accepted by his or her own peers. When Jim and his friends engage in dangerous, reckless activities so Jim can "prove himself" to his new peers, things go terribly wrong, and the consequences are dire. Their actions get a boy killed, and the rippling effect of this horrible event are felt by every character.
"Rebel Without a Cause" focuses on the relationship between a teenager and the parents of the teenager. It seemed like none of the characters had a strong father figure or parents that could understand the hardships that each of the characters were facing. Perhaps in the 1950s or in the childhoods of the writers, this was a common problems. In today's world, though, this relationship between teenagers and parents isn't emphasized. In fact, it is largely irrelevant in many movies today. In a movie, where there are only a few hours to develop characters, it is difficult to reveal to the audience the true depth of characters. Instead, Jim, Judy, and Plato are developed just enough so one can understand their similarities and problems they all face, which bring them closer together. The problems these three teenagers face may not always be relatable, but they are fairly easy to sympathize with, inspiring emotion in the audience when bad things happen to the characters.
All things considered, "Rebel Without a Cause" is what one would call a good movie. Despite the outdated conflict, the story crafted is still captivating. The story is well written, and the actors, especially Dean, do a great job embracing and assuming the roles of their characters. "Rebel Without a Cause" is a classic that many people have enjoyed and many more will continue to enjoy for years to come.
