Why I reek of Knize Ten

Having now finished all of his movies, I feel that I can now sufficiently write a proper post about the ever iconic teenage rebel, James Dean.

Nearly everyone knows his name and you've almost certainly come across the infamous poster for the movie Rebel Without A Cause, in which Dean leans against a wall, tight white tee under a bright red Harrington jacket, classic blue American jeans with the legs rolled up to uncover sleek boots, and a cigarette burning away in one hand. He is the personification of cool, the suave loner, the dreamy iconoclast. Even his signature scent, Knize Ten, is a leathery, robust cologne fit for the man's man; a refined scent meant to be worn by those with aristocratic upbringing that he debauched into the essence of a young renegade.

And yet his fame is derived not from his vast repertoire of cinema nor his lifelong journey through Hollywood, but the exact opposite. Killed in a car crash at the age of 24, having starred in a mere three movies, James Dean's lasting fame is almost an enigma. How could one young man with such a limited array of films become an eternal symbol of masculinity, coolness, and acting prowess?

There are two answers to this question. Firstly, he was the first actor to ever receive a posthumous Academy Awards nomination for Best Actor. That alone should raise curious eyebrows about him. Secondly is his undiluted acting savvy. He single-handedly changed the approach to acting. Instead of simply reciting lines and being a good-looking guy, Dean charged all of his dialogue and actions with pure emotional energy. This scene alone demonstrates his sheer talent for expressing emotion in an age of cinema when such outbursts may have been viewed as unsightly (take a guess where Tommy Wiseau got his famous line "You're tearing me apart, Lisa!" clumsily shouted out in his awkward and unplaced accent).

Rebel Without A Cause (1955)

If you're going to only watch a single James Dean flick, then this is the one. This is the film that solidified his legacy as the teenage outcast, as the angsty young man fighting to figure out the confusion of life. Alongside the brilliant Sal Mineo (another actor taken far before his time) and the beautiful Natalie Wood, the movie intertwines the stories of three angsty teens, each with their own personal issues regarding family. As Jim Stark, James Dean portrays the trials and tribulations of a misled teenager living in the urban environment of 1950s Los Angeles. 

While we may be spoiled on talented actors in our modern age, looking back at this film you will be blown away at James Dean's raw emotion. He inspires a sense of moodiness and desire to smoke cigarettes you probably haven't felt since high school. If you've ever felt like a social exile, your inner empathy will shed tears while your subconscious reminds you of sour memories of youth.

Though be forewarned the film includes sentiments that were appropriate only to the Fifties. You will find yourself cringing at some of the dialogue regarding masculinity and treatment of women. Bordering on "toxic masculinity" it is important to take the messages of the movie with a grain of salt and not at face value.

East of Eden (1955)

James Dean's first movie and the one that skyrocketed him to fame, East of Eden is the retelling of John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. Arguably my favorite Steinbeck novel, the movie does not do the book justice to the extent that it deserves. For those who read the book, they may find themselves disappointed at the film's timeline and characterization. The movie tells loosely the second half of the novel, forgoing many vital characters and the set-up that establishes the emotions felt. But with that said, it is still a brilliant movie and a modern retelling of the fable of Cain and Abel (modern relative to a few millennia ago), divorce it from the book and you have a strong piece of historical cinema. Steinbeck himself was even a fan of it.

Playing the exceedingly moody Cal Trask, Dean vies for his father's affections while becoming the sorrowful rival of his own brother. Like Rebel Without A Cause, East of Eden explores in-depth the feelings of teenage confusion, especially in regard to family relationships and love. The director, Elia Kazan, even had James meet with his estranged father for inspiration. Though a tactless and cruel move, the emotion he pulls into the role is palpable.

Giant (1956)

While this is more so a film about Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean stars in an antagonistic role in this epic about Texas. The longest of Dean's movies, clocking in at 3 hours 20 minutes, this movie requires a serious dedication to watch. If you found yourself nodding off during The Irishman, I fear you may not have the willpower to make it through this one (no judgment there, had it not been for a sudden snowstorm forcing me inside all day, I might not have either).

The film, based on a novel by Edna Ferber, revolves around the lives of wealthy cattle rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict (played by the dashing Rock Hudson) and his East Coast socialite wife, Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor absolutely knocks this one out of the park; as a real-life aristocrat, she plays the refined role with ease). James Dean plays an awkward, racist ranch hand in love with Liz Taylor (how could you not be?) who contends with Hudson throughout the film. Spanning decades, the movie covers not so much a singular story but the entirety of the lives of a generation. 

Dean's role is not nearly as prominent as his previous films, but during his scenes he steals the limelight. As a sort of anti-hero, he initially provokes you to root for him as strongly as you can (particularly if you've watched his other works), then turns around slaps you in the face with his character's greed and baseness. This role will cause you to lament for his early death and the fact that we never got to see him play more roles.

One Man, Three Movies

I hope you will take this praise for James Dean and use it as motivation to watch some old movies. My reviews of his works are rudimentary at best and not nearly as witty as I would have liked them to be. But if you consider yourself a cinephile (and hopefully not in a literal sense), then watch at least one or two of these movies and discover why James Dean has such an infamous legacy. At the end of it, you might find yourself ordering some Knize Ten just like I did.