Nicholas Ray

*****
5/5

The theme of the teenager as an alienated victim of family and society has never been done better. James Dean gives a superb performance as a frustrated youth from a well-to-do family, who rebels against his weak father and shewish mother with such delinquent behaviour as boozing, kinfe-fighting and racing hot rods in hazardous games of chicken. Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo also stand out in an excellent, youthful cast that's wonderfully controlled by director Nicholas Ray, but it's Dean who remains most memorable, and his heartfelt portrayal epitomised his tragically short career.

(1955)   
US   Colour   106 mins