World renowned actor James Dean played the role of 17 year-old Jim Stark in the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause." Jim Stark, new to Dawson High School, moved from Los Angeles to get away from old problems that his parents have felt would damage their own reputation. From the beginning of the film, the audience is introduced to Jim's love interest Judy (Natalie Wood), the girlfriend of the the typical teen movie tough guy, Buzz (Corey Allen). Jim and Judy's first encounter is held at the local police station where rebellious Jim is brought after being arrested for public intoxication.
Problems in Jim's home life arrise when both of his parents show up at the station already arguing. The constant fussing and fighting at home is slowing driving Jim off of the edge, feeling abandoned and alone. As the movie progresses, Jim is befriended by Plato (Sal Mineo), the shy teen who, like Jim, has his own problems at home. Buzz, beginning to notice Jim and Judy's attraction to each other, is instantly threatened and challenges Jim to a "chicken run," a death-defying game of driving off a cliff to see who will be named the "chicken" and jump out of the vehicle first. Events take a terrifying turn when Buzz's jacket sleeve gets caught on the inside door handle, restricting him from exiting the vehicle before it drives over the cliff.
Jim, absoarbed with guilt, attempts to inform the police of Buzz's death and hold himself accountable. His parents, fearful for their clean reputation, refuse to let him go but Jim leaves anyway. After finding that no one at the police station will help him, Jim retreats to an old abandoned house with Judy, his new love interest, and Plato. The couple, Jim and Judy, take on the roles of parents to Plato in what seems like a playful game. Eventually, the trio is discovered by Buzz's furious friends and the police. Plato, feeling as if he had nothing to lose, proceeds to fire his gun, causing the police to shoot back. The movie ends with Plato dead and Jim and Judy returned to their parents.
"Rebel Without a Cause" is based around the teenager to parent relationship. Each of the characters' own rebellion seemed to be caused or at least contributed to by their distant relationship with their parents. While Jim's parents are tearing him apart with their constant arguing, Judy's father is hiding his sexual attraction to her and can barely speak to her, and Plato doesn't even have a parental figure. Teens in the 1950s were much more emotionally affected by a struggling relationship with their parents as compared to teenagers today. A bad connection with your mother or father today is seen as a common and normal thing. Though filmed in the 50s, the emotional hardships of Jim, Judy, and Plato shown in the movie are, in some aspects, still relateable to today's teens.
Though many would say "Rebel Without a Cause" is not a 'timeless' movie, it is still considered a classic in today's society. The movie characterizes teens in the 50s, and though they have changed, issues about love, friendship, and family still factor into their lives today. It set the stage for all the teen movies following its release and still yet to come. "Rebel Without a Cause" will remain one of the best movies of all time.
