East of Eden 1955
I don’t thnk I ever watched a James Dean movie all the way through, so I borrowed East of Eden using a Screen Pass. The movie has a solid though not spectacular reputation, based on a Steinbeck novel which I am pretty sure I read at some point. This feels like a movie that might have been edgy at the time, but seems pretty tame today. Now the James Dean character just seems a little like a spoiled rich kid, which of course can still make for a decent movie. The story does have some interest, but it is pretty thin, so the movie drags a little and ultimately doesn’t seem to have that much to say. Dean is an interesting actor, often compared to Marlon Brando, but the character here isn’t that compelling, mostly just jealous of his brother. The movie does look good and has enough going for it to make it worthwhile. And James Dean only made three movies as the lead, so there aren’t that many opportunities to see him.
Written: 16 Feb 2023