Rebel Without a Cause

1955.

#59 / Unlisted

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards.

Jim Stark (James Dean) is a rebellious teenager who moves to a new town with his family. When he agrees to a "chickie-run" against a classmate, tragedy strikes.

Sarah: This film is the birth of teen angst. It was before teen soaps became their own genre and before the brat pack. REBEL set the tone for any teen film to come. The tension builds so nicely, and the film slowly reveals why these kids are rebels, by showing them at home as well as at school.

The three "teens" are perfect. James Dean gives this movie cool sex appeal, even though he is playing tortured. Natalie Wood shows she really is skilled, which is nice since she is so horribly miscast elsewhere on the AFI list (THE SEARCHERS and WEST SIDE STORY. I guess 1950s Hollywood thought that if you had brown eyes, you should play every ethnicity.) And Sal Mineo makes you want to hug him, which is quite a feat since his character shoots puppies.

Eddie: When we think of the 1950s, idyllic visions of I LOVE LUCY and THE HONEYMOONERS pop into our heads. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE refreshes us by reminding us that the 50s weren't all about sunshine, happiness, and baby Ricky. The dysfunctional Stark family in REBEL tells us that the 1950s were just as turbulent as any other decade. James Dean, as Sarah said, does a great job with such a complex role, but Jim Backus and Ann Doran deserve praise for their performances as Mr. and Mrs. Stark.

Why You Should See It: "You're tearing me apart!!!!"