Last week I reviewed “Brokeback Mountain” with Heath Ledger, so I decided I’m going to do a tribute series to actors who died young. This week and next week will be a tribute to James Dean’s films and on Halloween
Last week I reviewed “Brokeback Mountain” with Heath Ledger, so I decided I’m going to do a tribute series to actors who died young. This week and next week will be a tribute to James Dean’s films and on Halloween we’ll honor the great River Phoenix.
“Giant” was James Dean’s second posthumous Oscar nomination. Sadly, Dean was gone before his stardom and eventual legend began (killed in a car wreck). The 24-year old Indiana boy had it all, the looks, the rebellious nature and an incredible acting range for someone with only two major films under his belt before doing “Giant.” Dean would be nominated the year before for “East of Eden,” and this was the Oscars’ first-time nominating someone who was dead. Instantly the legend of Dean had begun (and rightfully so). He started work on “Giant” immediately (the next day) after completing work on his most-famous movie, “Rebel Without a Cause”.
“Giant” is a film of grand scale, helmed by George Stevens. In film history the general public seems to know more about Frank Capra, William Wyler or Billy Wilder. But Stevens was just as great, respected and influential to future directors. “Giant” tells the story in which three generations of land-rich Texans love, swagger, connive and clash in a tale of family strife, bigotry and conflict between cattle ranchers and oil tycoons.
Dean never saw the release of his films, and it leaves me wondering what was to come? For most film buffs one of Dean’s greatest legacies is Brad Pitt. If you watch Dean’s “Rebel Without a Cause,” “East of Eden” and “Giant” you would see where Pitt derives his technique, sometimes down to his facial expressions. I love Pitt and he has earned his way in Hollywood, but I’m sure the humble Pitt would admit his admiration for Dean.
Dean like Ledger was a gift from what I call the movie gods. I’m not getting religious, so feel free to return to movie-land with me. These actors came into our cinematic journeys, changed us and then left far too soon. Especially Dean, the young man was not even half way through his 20s (River Phoenix died even younger then Dean). He came from the method acting school which also gave us De Niro, Newman and many others, including the actor Dean idolized — Marlon Brando (some critics accuse him of copying Brando too much). All I know is he left us three great films and I highly recommend them all.
I hope the Dean legend never dies, although he was just a human. He was a hell of an actor!
Free Screening of Clint Eastwood’s “The Unforgiven” this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Lihu‘e Public Library.
Year: 1956
Studio: Warner Brothers
Director: George Stevens
Starring: Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean
Oscars: Best director (nominations: picture, actor Dean andHudson, supporting actress, art direction, costume design, editing,score, screenplay)
1. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
2. For a Few Dollars More (1965)
3. Gran Torino (2008)
4. High Plains Drifter (1973)
5. Dirty Harry (1971)
6. The Outlaw Josey Whales (1976)
7. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
8. A Perfect World (1993)
9. Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)
10. Paint Your Wagon (1969)
— by Franz Schmutzer
