Movie Review: James Dean (2001)

Well, I'm not quite done with the book yet, though I expect I may finish later tonight. However, Nana and I watched "James Dean", the 2001 TV movie based upon the life of James Dean. So, I thought I'd review it.

First let me say that James Franco's portrayal of James Dean is stunning, powerful, and beautiful. It ranks near the top of the best biographical portrayals of all time. There are points in the film where I have a hard time discerning the fact that it isn't James Dean himself on the screen, but someone who is portraying him. It's an inspired performance worthy of praise.

However, the script is another story entirely. The entire time I was watching, the film, there seemed to be a giant gap in the plot. It was as if the script writers had attempted to erase anything too controversial from James' life and just show it's audience a basic, scrubbed up version of this person. It seemed as if half of his life was excised for being unfavorable or not clean enough for air. It's like the viewer only gets to see half of James Dean.

The most glaring ommission is that of William Bast, James Dean's best friend, roommate, and rumored lover. He was turned into an insignificant character who appears onscreen for no more than 30 seconds. On top of that, that turned him into an African American man named Billy. I was shocked. I may be a little biased, seeing as how I just finished Mr. Bast's book (review coming tomorrow) but he was a very significant part of James' life. To be excised almost completely is inexcusable.

There were also a lot of moments that seemed overly dramatized and some that even seemed contrived for dramatic effect. I know that this was a made for TV movie of the week, but accuracy should be expected to some degree.

The biggest beef of all was that this movie clocks in at a paltry 95 minutes. It hardly seems right. There was so much material to work with, yet almost none of it was used. This could have easily been a two-night event, much like it's counter part "Life With Judy Garland: Me And My Shadows", maybe even a miniseries. Because the pacing is so fast, the movie is at times difficult to follow or stick to. At the the end of the movie, I looked at my Nana and said, "That's it?"

I know that this review is mostly negative, and for that I apologize. The film was good for what it was. I just wanted more. Perhaps I will find the missing half when I watch the 1976 movie, also titled "James Dean", which is based upon William Bast's first book about James Dean. So, I rate the movie as follows:

Acting- A

Script- B

Accuracy- B

Here's The Trailer: