Instead of doing a plain old review i thought that i would try to analyze the 3 main characters, Plato (Sal Mineo), Judy (Natalie Wood) and Jim (James Dean). Now i don't think i'm very good when it comes to analysis but i'll let you be the judge.
Plato
John "Plato" Crawford is probably the most disturbed of the 3 characters. He has been pretty much abandoned by both parents and since he has no friends he mostly spends his time with his maid or at one point killing puppies. The way i see it Plato killed these puppies not out of angst or hate but a warped view of justice. Puppies are abandoned by their mother, the way he was abandoned by his, he shot them because he saw himself in them. He was sort of suicidal. But as far as we know he never attempted it, but why not? Perhaps subconsciously he thought things would get better and when Jim arrived they did (for a little).
Plato's relationship with Jim is just one of the many interesting relationships in this movie. Jim and Judy became sort of surrogate parents to Plato during their brief time at the secluded mansion. But yet Plato is obviously attracted to Jim, for a fifties movie it's astounding that it was even featured, but nonetheless it was and it adds a whole other layer to the movie. Plato both see's Jim as a father figure and a potential lover. he was certainly a confused young man.
Judy
Continuing the trend of complex father relationships in this movie is Judy's need for attention from her father. It is natural for a girl to still want some attention from her father even though she is growing up, but he doesn't seem to want to show any kind of affection. Even slapping her when she tries to. i once read someone else's theory that he was afraid of his attraction to her, which is a very good idea and i think it is just about right.
It has been debated on the IMDB boards about why she suddenly fell in love with Jim mere hours after Buzz (her boyfriends) death. This i think i can explain. Judy's father was pushing her away, Buzz became the man of her life, she was close to him and was allowed to show the affection she couldn't show to her father. But did she love him? No. The fact that she didn't have a huge mourning over him is because she had to push him out of her mind. To be strong and find another man to be her rock. This man was Jim. She said she loved him because he was security, he was attentive and loving (and he was James Dean), she loved the idea of him.
It has been debated on the IMDB boards about why she suddenly fell in love with Jim mere hours after Buzz (her boyfriends) death. This i think i can explain. Judy's father was pushing her away, Buzz became the man of her life, she was close to him and was allowed to show the affection she couldn't show to her father. But did she love him? No. The fact that she didn't have a huge mourning over him is because she had to push him out of her mind. To be strong and find another man to be her rock. This man was Jim. She said she loved him because he was security, he was attentive and loving (and he was James Dean), she loved the idea of him.
Jim.
The template for teen angst everywhere is Jim Stark. The 'rebel' who wants to break away from his restraints but at the same time fit in. A paradoxical character, (in fact they all were). He doesn't want to be like his Father (Jim Backus), who is a push over who can't stand up to his own (shrewish) wife. Jim hates being called 'chicken' as it reminds him of his Dad, who he doesn't want to be. Here is the main cause of his 'rebellion', he wants to be seen as his own man, a real man. To be a real man he thought he mustn't be afraid of even the most dangerous and stupid things (like driving a car towards a cliff). His relationship's with Judy and Plato were perfectly suited to him. Judy was very different from his own mother, she didn't tell him what to do or was demanding. Plato was the son. Plato wanted parents. The entire family dynamic is very well put together.
I may be wrong about quite a few of these things, after all I've never been great at analysis. But the thing i love about this movie is that it can be interpreted in many different ways. i also love it's basic theme- teenagers trying to find their own way. It is still so culturally significant today (and will be in the future). Sure the events are melodramatic (impromptu switch blade fights...) but again, the theme isn't teen violence or even rebellion, it's finding a purpose.
"You have to do something" Buzz Gunderson (Corey Allen), Rebel Without a Cause.
