In the 1955 film Rebel without a Cause James Dean portrays one of his most memorable characters in his short lived, but brilliant career. The film was directed by Nicholas Ray and written by Steward Stern. In the film James Dean plays Jim, a troubled teen who is kind at heart. Jim tries to escape his troubles by moving to a new town, but is soon encounters a tough gang of bullys. As far as typical teen movies go, Jim is an outsider and is only seen as one because of his reputation as the new kid.
Through his journey in the new town, Jim is in trouble early and often. The beginning of the movie is a drunken Jim in the streets, soon to be escorted to the police station in handcuffs. In the station he lays his eyes on Judy (played by Natalie Wood), the troubled girlfriend of Buzz the leader of the school. He also befriends Plato (played by Sal Mineo). The three unlikely friends all share a slew of family problems. Jim has a father who is pushed around by his mother and gets no respect. Judy gives her father affection, but this affection is not returned but rejected. Plato has a new story about his family everyday, but the only sure thing we know is that he is raised by a black nurse.
James Dean is a rebel in this movie. He plays the bad boy who is loved by the girls, and eventually is on top. This movie is typical in character bias. You have Judy the girl who only dates the next big thing. Jim the bad boy who steals the girls heart. And Plato, the troubled teen who is driven through torture, and angst to do the unthinkable and ruin his life through revenge. This movie portrays the typical society, but in a way where you don't recognize the stereotypes. It's in a way where you respect the characters, and want more of them. You want to understand them.
