This film is notable for being one of the few James Dean ever got to do. Which is most certainly too bad, since he gives an excellent performance. His training at The Actor's Studio most certainly provided him with the chops to deliver a very emotional and nuanced performance.
Natalie Wood co-stars as a girl who gets off on violence. You can see the sheer joy in her face as Dean and another boy face off in a knife fight. And, she's thrilled to be the flag girl at a near-suicidal death race. And so, when she sees that Dean has engaged in violence himself, she immediately latches on to him.
Nicholas Ray was always an interesting director. And, he wrote the story for this too. He directed what I consider the best-overall story about Jesus, "King of Kings." And so, here he does very well too.
The story takes many interesting turns as it works its way to its ending. But, in the end, it's James Dean who is front and center here. His performance needs to be watched if you are a film fan.
******* (7 Out of 10 Stars)
Natalie Wood co-stars as a girl who gets off on violence. You can see the sheer joy in her face as Dean and another boy face off in a knife fight. And, she's thrilled to be the flag girl at a near-suicidal death race. And so, when she sees that Dean has engaged in violence himself, she immediately latches on to him.
Nicholas Ray was always an interesting director. And, he wrote the story for this too. He directed what I consider the best-overall story about Jesus, "King of Kings." And so, here he does very well too.
The story takes many interesting turns as it works its way to its ending. But, in the end, it's James Dean who is front and center here. His performance needs to be watched if you are a film fan.
******* (7 Out of 10 Stars)