So, I have a confession to make. I keep on telling you guys that I usually wait until I have seen a movie at least two times before I review it, but let's be honest, that's a complete lie. Of the three movies I've already reviewed on here, two of them I've only seen once. And this will make a third. I know, I'm a liar, but this movie's just too great to not review right away, okay?
WARNING: This is just gonna be a gushy review. Not very coherent at all. I won't really tell you the plot line, and I'll try not to spoil too many important plot points. Spoiler Alerts will be provided for those of you who even care.
James Dean was only in three or four movies before he died, sadly. But man alive, was he a good actor! Just wanted to get that out here, 'cause he really impressed me. And John Steinbeck, thank you very much for writing what you did. Mama told me I shouldn't watch the movie before I read the book, but then again, she's watched A Tale of Two Cities and hasn't read the book, so there 😉
Really rough outline of the plot: Cal Trask is unloved (or so he thinks). His brother, Aron, has always been the good son, always doing just what his father wants and expects of him, and Cal has let this eat him up with jealousy. WARNING, SPOILERS COMING UP. Both sons have been told that their mother is dead, but Cal finds out that not only is this not true, but also that his mother owns a generally low-down-gambling-and-anything-illegal-you-wanna-do house in the city across the mountains, Monterey. Nobody knows this but him.
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| Cal on the right with his mother on the left. |
Alright, there you have it. The whole set-up for an emotional roller-coaster. If you don't cry at least once, well, I might start doubting you have a heart, hate to say it. But don't get me wrong, it's an awesome and epic emotional roller-coaster that you won't be sorry you got on.
Let's talk about characters: Every single character in this movie is so, so different, and so very real. There's Cal, who is extremely insecure but very eager to please as well. James Dean's acting is phenomenal in this part. Just a little raise of an eyebrow, just a little movement of the hand and this guy's got emotions electrifying the room. As I said before, I was impressed. I like Cal in a 'Here, let me comfort you and tell you you're actually not bad but stop being an idiot' kind of way. Kid needs a hug, that's for sure. Then there's Mr. Trask, Cal's father. Mr. Trask is an avid bible-thumper. But, surprisingly, this doesn't mean he's super harsh and cruel. In movies, they usually pair being a bible-quotin' Christian with being a jerk and most likely insane. Mr. Trask is neither of these. He is kind and tries to understand his son Cal, although at first he doesn't succeed. I didn't actually LIKE him, but I didn't hate him either. Next, there's the extraordinary Abra. She's the girlfriend, soon to be fiance (or IS she?) of Aron Trask. She is outgoing, outspoken, and very friendly. In the beginning of the movie she's afraid of Cal (can't blame her, he acts a little insane) but she eventually becomes friends with him and then (SPOILERS COMING UP) a littler more than friends. They have a strange relationship. She wants to care for and comfort him, as she understands what it feels like to think one is not loved. But then again, she believes she is loved by Aron and does not want to let him down. Poor girl's in a tough situation throughout almost all the movie. And let's not forget that she saves both the characters of this film and us, the viewers, from one of the saddest and most heart-wrenching movie endings in history. Thank you Abra, so much. And how about Aron himself? Well, Aron is a goody two shoes in the beginning. He has a girlfriend he loves, he loves his father and does as he asks, and he love his strange little brother. All is well with him. But a funny thing I noticed in this movie is that while at the beginning Cal seems emotionally and mentally unstable and Aron seems like a outstandingly stable guy, by the end of the movie we see who can handle the shocking and terrible truth better.
There are several side characters, but the only one of great consequence to the plot is Mrs. Trask, better known as Cathy, herself. Cathy Ames (as she is now known) is a pretty amoral woman. She runs her gambling house in the nasty town of Monterey (don't know if it's still nasty, just saying that it was in the time of the story. No offense intended to current or former Montereyins) and cares nothing about the family she's left behind. But who knows, maybe seeing one of her own sons will break the cold shell and reveal a human heart somewhere deep down inside?
Hey, how 'bout the cinematography and filming in general? Answer: Smashing. Scenery was beautiful and the director used different camera angles (sometimes quite strange ones) to evoke special feelings and atmospheres. All cinematography was masterfully done.
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| This shot. Only one word for it: GORGEOUS! |
This theme is definitely beautiful though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7iF0BxuNo
I would share my favorite moments with you, but they are more than a little crucial to the plot. However, I will tell you how many times I cried. Not counting just being teary-eyed, I think I full out cried three times. You may cry more or less. I can't tell what makes you break down.
I'll leave you with that SUPER short little review and you can enjoy what I didn't spoil yourself. If you don't want to watch this movie, I totally understand...
Honestly, I mean it!
Well, maybe I don't.
Anyway, enough James Dean gifs. You really should watch this movie. It's a powerful and beautiful work of art that has an important and inspiring message.
Verdict: I absolutely loved it.
~ Irene
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