Opening day of “Rebel Without a Cause,” October 14, 1955, was only 27 days after James Dean’s fatal car crash, freezing him in time, even to this day. Screenwriters Stewart Stern and Irving Shulman, and director Nicholas Ray created this film to illustrate the violent restlessness of the youth from the 1950s.Staggering into the movie drunk, Jim Stark (James Dean), a rebellious juvenile-delinquent - the new kid in town - causes many problems for his parents, because of his parents (Jim Backus and Ann Doran). Jim's parents come to the station and start to argue about how to deal with the situation when he blows up on his overbearing mother and emasculate father shouting his famous agonizing howl, "You're tearing me apart!"
Jim suddenly sights the goody good, tough, needy, girl next door, Judy (Natalie Wood). Her behavior portrays her as a crazy girl, only because she has a deliberately distant father that shows her no affection. Instantly, he falls for her, but she does not reciprocate, yet. After Judy's boyfriend Buzz (Corey Allen) dies she, strangely, falls for Jim not skipping one beat of life.
Then there's the puny, bitter and persecuted Plato (Sal Mineo). Now and days it is easier to see than in 1955 that Plato is gay and was crushing on Jim; at the planetarium he caresses Jim's shoulder. Then Jim gives Plato a lift home after Buzz dies when his car hurtles over the cliff in a racing game with the proverbial name "chicken," against Jim. Plato asks Jim "Hey, you want to come home with me? I mean, there's nobody home at my house, and heck I'm not tired. Are you?" But Plato notices that Jim glances towards Judy's house and becomes regretful.
“Rebel Without a Cause" targets the relationships between teenagers and their parents. It seemed like none of the characters had strong father figures or parents. Possibly in the 1950s, or in the childhoods of the writers, this was a typical problem. The fathers may be emasculated, distant, or even absent from their children. In today's world, though, this relationship between teenagers and parents isn't emphasized. 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. However, 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 character.
Collectively, "Rebel Without a Cause" deserves one and a half thumbs up. The conflict is a little outdated, but the adventure is still entertaining. The story is well written, and the actors/actresses, especially Dean, do a great job of grasping and seizing the roles of their characters. This film is a classic that numerous people have adored and many more will continue to adore for generations to come.
