Life (I) (2015) User Reviews

Deconstruction

[diand_ · 5/10 · 17 February 2015]

Potentially this could have been the most interesting work from Anton Corbijn, as he is himself a well-known portrait photographer. The story is about Magnum photographer Dennis Stock (Pattison) convincing a reluctant upcoming James Dean (DeHaan) to follow him to make a series of portraits. As you might know, Magnum set new standards in photography and Stock in his famous series contributed to a completely different view on portrait photography of stars: natural setting, confrontational, honest and direct.

During the movie, a bond grows between the two, as Dean turns out to be an atypical Hollywood star ignoring the rules set out by his superiors resulting in several confrontations. Stock largely ignores his duties to his former wife and their child and becomes obsessed by Dean's idiosyncrasy. The second part is the most interesting as it almost deconstructs Dean's life and character: Dean comes from a farmland family of Quakers, likes local poets and is fond of his background and actually despises stardom. Stock is first able to shoot pictures in New York (you probably know the famous photograph) and in Indiana.

So what are the downsides: the pacing is too slow, the editing certainly not perfect and the most important trap: Corbijn as photographer is too much in love with the story, finding details relevant that are actually not that relevant. The question keeps popping up: Why does this matter? Life fails in a way as a mood piece, but is still a relatively good and stable character drama as the deconstruction works well.

Maybe both Pattison and DeHaan are too light to pull this off more convincing, but one role is certainly amazing: Ben Kingsley as Jack Warner is so spot-on you will be remembering the character despite the limited screen time.

Inside look of Dean's short lived fame / anti-fame.

[CharlieGreenCG · 7/10 · 8 February 2015]

James Dean, although the lead-star of only three films, concreted himself as one of the cinema's golden age legends quite quickly in the 1950's - mainly through his unconventional approach to Hollywood's rules - this is, all before his premature death quite soon later.

Portrayed by Dane Dehaan, LIFE is a satirical chronicle of Dean's rise of an unknown to his Hollywood acting debut of success and fame. Yet, the film is not directly told as a documentary of his life - but via the lens of Robert Pattinson's character, Dennis Stock, a rookie photographer for a photo-agency with aspirations of becoming known.

Set in the 1950's, director Anton Corbijn's take on Dean's life is admirably applaudable as it takes us on an inside look of Dean's short lived fame and anti-fame. The sets, the cinematography, the music and the atmosphere all cipher the 50's pose, as smoking and larger-than-life LA are the standard.

First meeting at a party in 1955, Dennis (the photographer) approaches Dean; a young, sophisticated individual wearing a melo- polo, slicked hair with thick framed glasses and asks who he is. For Dehaan, the performance, both visually and in terms of acting is undeniably suited as he resonates Dean's moody and unique approach, showing him as a person, not merely an icon.

Forming sturdy relationships with Jack Warner (Ben Kingsley), of Warner Brothers Pictures, Dean's talent is soon spotted, and through several frustrations of the individual's motives, he told to 'play the part, follow the rules' and he would be made a star.

For Robert Pattinson, his take on iconic photographer Dennis Stock is equally as impressive as he enters the world of Hollywood from the other side of the carpet (and at bottom). Spotting Dean's talent early, Stock, in the two-hour running time attempts to get photographs of Dean before fame kicks in. Deadlines, pressure and awkwardness soon mount-up, and Pattinson expertly presents it onto screen.

Shot-by-shot, we capture each of Stock's photos of James Dean - but, rather than just a photo and what point it was taken - we are inclusively taken into a perspective of why it was taken, the setting and how they were so important - and now, in retrospective of our present - why so iconic.

http://gonewiththemovies.com/reviews/life-review.php

An unfulfilled promise

[michel_broeders · 5/10 · 26 September 2015]

"Life (2015)" is the fourth film directed by notorious Dutch photographer and director Anton Corbijn, in which we get a look into the life of James Dean. Corbijn proves to be an accomplished director since the release of his debut and gritty masterpiece "Control (2007)". A film that set the bar so high it became hard to satisfy his newly found fan-base. After his escapades with the thriller genre he returns to the genre he became known for, a biopic. And this time our favorite "Rebel" gets the "Corbijn- treatment", or so we hope.

As the title suggests the story revolves around Dennis Stock, a photographer for the magazine "Life", who gets the assignment to shoot rising and rebellious Hollywood actor James Dean, before the release of his first headlining film "East of Eden (1955)". A friendship develops between both gentleman and the pair travel to L.A., New York and Indiana to get those precious shots Stock is longing for.

DeHaan rather gives us his own interpretation of James Dean. The resemblance between portraying and portrayed actor is marginal. Stock on the other hand is portrayed by Pattison who gives a dull performance although the concept of his role feels dull on its own, something we can't blame Pattinson for directly. Stock's assignment and private life should feel like a struggle though this is poorly translated into the script.

Throughout the movie there are sparks of chemistry between both but in the end it's sad to see that this chemistry is absent for most of the film. It's because of these aspects this period drama sometimes feels like it's sleepwalking throughout its own story, which is a shame considering the fact that "Life" can be considered as almost a personal film for Corbijn. You might expect that a photographer making a film about photography would create something more lively than the overall boring "Life".

Maybe Corbijn made us spoiled little brats, we expect too much from the director that gave us "Control", while you can't blame an audience for expecting something more daring than "Life". James Dean was not only a fascinating character, he also possessed a complexity towards his sexual identity, something the film largely ignores. In conclusion there are some pleasing touches, such as the beautiful cinematography or a refreshing cameo by Ben Kingsley, but in the end this film becomes a frustrating experience for Corbijn fans.

A Life lived fast.

[brendandevere · 7/10 · 10 September 2015]

James Dean. When we hear that name what do we think of? Youthful icon. Screen legend. Rebellious. Cool. All have been posted to the name of Dean over the decades since his premature death in 1955 but how many of us would mention the words, shy, vulnerable and complicated. The silver screens rising star came out of nowhere, had a fleeting moment in the sun and then as quickly as he appeared, he was lost to us, dying at the eternally youthful age of twenty-four.

There was very little mentioned about the film, 'Life', it just seemed to appear so I was a little unsure about its content. Were the producers trying to tell us something that we didn't know? Putting this aside though, I was still intrigued by a semi-biographical tale of a Hollywood legend whose name has survived the test of time despite only ever starring in three films. After a journey that involved a train excursion and a bus trip, I managed to make it to one of the few theatres that has included 'Life' in their weekly line-up. For a time I thought I was going to be the only person brave enough to see it until a woman walked in and the audience doubled in size and became two.

The first thing that leaps out at me is the quality of the cast. A film that features Ben Kingsley, Robert Pattinson and Joel Edgerton couldn't be that bad but again, perhaps the produces know something that we don't. Anton Corbijn brings a distinguished resume to the directors chair and has been able to deliver a delicate view of a young star who was much more than just the moody, difficult new kid on the block that ruffled the feathers of Hollywood's power players. The audience gets to see a genuinely vulnerable James Dean brought back to life with a stand out performance by the little known Dane DeHaan.

DeHaan's execution of the immortal screen icon was always going to make or break the production. A brave decision for Corbijn to make but an inspired one as DeHaan completely transforms himself into James Dean right down to the 50's stars mumbling vocals and uncomfortable nature. Pattinson portrays Life Magazine photographer, Dennis Stock, who is responsible for capturing Dean in his raw and natural poses that have now become recognisable around the world. Unfortunately Pattinson is totally left in the shadow of DeHaan's portrayal and at times looks out of his depth trying to act as the second lead. Ben Kingsley is absolutely superb as Jack Warner, the head of Warner Brothers Studio who has a difficult time in trying to rein in the rebellious Dean. Edgerton adds a rounded cameo as Stock's boss but all eyes are on DeHaan as he moves from scene to scene totally immersed in his character.

With a set that transports the viewer back to the golden years of Hollywood when studios owned their acting stars and everybody sucked back the soothing smoke from a death stick, the film highlights just how cutthroat the movie making business was and still is. Dean was a prodigious talent but didn't want anything to do with the regimented routines that were thrust upon him by Warner. He felt most comfortable around people he trusted and he felt most at home on the farm in rural Indiana.

This is a good glimpse into the life of an immortal Hollywood icon whose talent could have taken him anywhere.

Real Life is Dull

[dansview · 6/10 · 21 August 2018]

Not that this necessarily pertains to the period of interaction between Dean and a photographer, but Dean was a race car driver. He was heavily involved in that during that year. So he wasn't just a restless spirit laying around. He had a daredevil spirit and lots of races. He was portrayed here as a bored farm boy. What I did like was showing how people get to know each other over time, and how life is actually fairly boring even for a burgeoning star during the inactive hours of a week. Even James Dean has to eat, sleep, visit family, and sign paperwork.

But there was not much reason shown for anyone to find Dean interesting. Even the photographer, who was initially captivated by some indescribable quality, scolded him for being a whiny self-interested nobody.

Having said that, and having read comments from Dean fans, I am willing to believe that the real Dean had charisma and a face that expressed pain and depth.

I liked the farm sequence. It showed you that Dean wasn't really a rebel, because he loved his family, his home town, and America. Everyone comes from somewhere. He's from a sleepy small town in the Midwest and his mother died when he was young. That should explain his sleepy demeanor tinged with sadness.

The nudity was great, because that girl was beautiful. But it was totally gratuitous. There is absolutely no reason to show boobs when two people are talking in bed.

You do get a sense that the country is on the brink of a new vibe, with the balance of old and new in the culture., and our characters' comfort in hanging out with black folks.

Look, there's not much to this story, but it is mildly interesting to see the life of a struggling early Hollywood photographer, and a fresh star. Plus I always enjoy depictions of male bonding, with all their ups and downs.

Unless those things interest you, avoid it. Because like life itself, this thing is dull.

Life is a pretty good movie. Beautifully acted.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 17 January 2016]

Life Magazine photographer Dennis Stock forms an attachment and gets to spend time and photograph a young James Dean in the early stages of his tragically short career. Set around the time of the announcement of the engagement of Pier Angeli to Vic Damone, the news sent Dean spiralling into depression, Dean having dated Angeli previously. Dennis recognises that 'Jimmy' is part of a change in society, and aims to be there throughout.

James Dean is a truly iconic figure, to this day his tragic loss is felt, who knows how good an actor he would have become.

It's a very sensitive film, everything is subtle and softly done somehow, I include the two leading performances in that summary also, I thought Dane DeHaan was an excellent piece of casting as James Dean, I bought into him. As for R Patz I quite like him as an actor, I question some of the roles he takes, I thought he was very good in this. The gravitas came from Ben Kingsley, who unfortunately didn't get a great amount of screen time.

I find the start a little slow, but after the first thirty or forty minutes it really opens up. Rather good, underrated movie, 7/10

Terrible casting choice for Dean.

[MongoLloyd · 7 November 2021]

What motivated the filmmakers to cast a boy with a boy voice for James Dean??? That actor is ALL wrong and watching that boy play Dean for two hours is torture. The Life photographer is an ineffectual bore and "Life" as a title is just a really bad idea in part because the script is pretty lifeless.

iconic pictures

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 29 January 2017]

It's 1955 Los Angeles. Photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) is tired of the red carpet. He wants to do a LIFE magazine photo essay on unknown actor James Dean (Dane DeHaan). Editor John Morris (Joel Edgerton) dismisses the idea and ridicules the pictures. Studio head Jack Warner (Ben Kingsley) tries to deal with the flighty new actor. Dean's relationship with Pier Angeli falls apart when she announces her marriage to Vic Damone. Stock follows Dean taking the iconic pictures from New York to his family farm in Indiana. Stock's personal life with his son suffers.

The photos are cultural icons. The story behind the photos is not necessarily that compelling. The real LIFE magazine photos should appear at the beginning. The funniest part of the movie is John Morris' constant dismissal of the unknown actor. Dane DeHaan is a great young actor. Here he mumbles a lot and lacks Dean's brooding. A younger Pattinson would fit much better. His presence only reminds the audience of that. Despite this being Stock's story, this is still James Dean's movie. A top name actor needs to play Dean. The final problem is the movie's name. It's not enough. That's also the story of the movie. It's not enough.

A moody but shallow endeavor

[indranee19 · 4/10 · 5 July 2016]

The problem with this movie is that neither DeHaan, nor Pattinson hold the attention of the audience. The script is nondescript, and the directing cannot make up for the lack of a compelling story and characterization.

DeHaan looks like a childish version of Dean with his unlined face, rounded cheeks, feathered, rubbable hair and those full, pink lips.

Dean was young, but had an old soul reflected in his lined face, sunken eyes, and impossibly attractive visage. Even James Franco -- much as I detest that actor -- was better than DeHaan. The story had no real climax... its twin journeys (of the co-protagonists) made shallow and dull via the absence of any real conflict or urgency of mission.

I'm sure Corbijn had good intentions.

I gave this one a four.

Life in Which Spotlight?

[spookyrat1 · 6/10 · 3 January 2019]

Life is a frustrating film. It continually hints at what a quality product it may have well been, save for the large sections of padded out unnecessary detail, that slow the pace and affect the direction of the story.

In attempting to tell parallel stories of two ambitious individuals both aiming to reach the top of their chosen professions, it fails to do full justice to either character's life, particularly that of photographer Dennis Stock.

Director Anton Corbijn recreates the mid 1950's brilliantly, whilst securing fine acting from a very talented cast. Unlike many, I find no justification at all to criticise Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan in the key roles of Stock and iconic actor James Dean respectively. It was also fun seeing eminent supporting actors such as Ben Kingsley, playing a volatile studio head like Jack Warner.

But instead of investigating potential areas of background interest such as why Stock had become so interested in photography, the Magnum Photos co-op, or why he appeared so painfully introverted, the film spends an inordinate amount of time on debating the fine details of the setting up of the Dean photographic assignment. The brief scenes of Stock's unhappy married life, didn't really establish a great deal either, apart from what was already obvious.

The story certainly picks up after Stock follows Dean to his hometown in Indiana, where we find "the rebel without a cause" loved nothing better than to fit humbly and quietly back into the lifestream of his own family and local community. Whether it happened or not, I found the initially reluctant and shy Dean speaking to his high school peers some years after graduating, as fascinating as the making of the famous Stock/Dean portfolio of photographs in natural settings.

I think the film would have succeeded better by focussing more on the life of one of the two life figures. Much has already been written and depicted about James Dean. Here was the opportunity in my opinion to examine in depth, a life changing juncture in the journey of Stock, who was to evolve into a world famous photographer. Instead like a cursory analysis of an old photograph, Life only just manages to scratch the surface.

Its an OK drama.

[nikolobg · 4/10 · 16 April 2016]

A movie about James Dean stands or falls by the portrayal of the man. Everything else is secondary to capturing that unique mesmerizing person.

I am a straight male, yet I remember the first time I googled that name and started browsing his photos. There was something there completely out of the ordinary. Strength with fragility, sadness with mischievousness, rebellion resting in the moment. Its like watching young Marlon Brando or Ryan Gosling in a movie like Drive, there is something extraordinary there your brain cant define but can understand.

Dane DeHaan, who I don't know outside of this movie, could probably portray Justin Bieber just fine, but playing James Dean requires a different beast of an actor all together.

"To me the only success, the only greatness, is immortality." (James Dean)

[blackbeanie · 9/10 · 27 September 2015]

Watching Life feels as if director Anton Corbijn takes his viewers by the hand and sits with them in a circle. Instead of a fairy tale book, he uses an old, well-thumbed magazine,titled Life, from March 1955.

"Many years ago, in fact exactly 60 years ago, there were 2 young men,James and Dennis, totally different from each other but with one common goal: they wanted to become an artist, the former as an actor, the latter as a photographer."

With his amazing talent for everything visually, Corbijn leads you to the fascinating fifties. Men were smoking and drinking while working, women cleaned the houses and teenagers were desperately looking for their identity, their voice. Big cars, tailored suits, small, intimate offices, jazz, blues...it's all there. And there's Hollywood of course, with its glitter and glamour, its matinée idols, its studio's...

Corbijn turns the pages of this magazine while he tells us the story behind the remarkable photos. He's in no hurry, he's not looking for drama or action. He shows us how these 2 young men get to know each other, how they use each other for their own purposes, how they also care for each other. James is a free spirit, a rebel who follows his own rules. Dennis is dealing with a divorce and the responsibility for a little son he barely sees while trying to become more than just a paparazzo. Their time together, in New-York and in Indianapolis, resulted in some of the most famous celebrity pics ever made.

After the publication the photographer built a successful career, the actor...died 6 months later and became a Hollywood legend.

This is Life, the film: beautiful cinematography and amazing performances. People can criticize the lack of similarities between Dane DeHaan and James Dean, or wonder if Rob Pattinson played Dennis Stock the way he was or not. It doesn't matter. Almost no one today has known Dean in real life and almost no one today has known Stock at the time. What matters is the story about the making of these famous photos. His films, together with these photos made Dean immortal (and successful in his opinion).

Casting the biggest teen idol of this century for a film about the biggest teen idol of last century but not in that role was very clever but also kind of risky. Tall and lean, with matinée-idol good looks, Rob Pattinson had to play down his magnetic screen presence so that Dane DeHaan could bring more charisma in his performance of Dean. It was a challenge but both managed to impress in their respective roles.

Sorry for mistakes as English isn't my native language.

Not Dane Dean or James DeHaan

[dekoninck_pieter · 7/10 · 12 February 2020]

Okay, with DeHaan's track record, maybe he wasn't the right actor for the role of the iconic (that word is an understatement) James Dean. But who is, tell me? I remember watching this film a couple of days before 2020 on a cold night in my bedroom on my laptop. This film had been on my watch list for at least a year and a half, and finally I decided to give it a go. I wasn't disappointed. What most people ignore is that we see a portrait of James Dean mostly before he becomes this world famous movie star, or this dead icon which name appears on the great billboards, covers of magazines and news papers, and in Madonna's song Vogue in between numerous other 20th century icons. That's what makes this film so special. "Who is James Dean and why should we have an item on him in our magazine?", is an opinion stated early on in the film. The more important things are the fact that James Dean's fame doesn't rise to his head, and that he tries as much as possible to stay out of the spot lights. The movie is built around the photos that are taken during his lifetime. Each photo has a story. Life is a breath taking movie. It sucks you in and only lets go at the end. I genuinely liked it.

Dane DeHaan is miscast

[phd_travel · 3/10 · 5 January 2017]

It's always watchable to look into the lives of Hollywood legends so the subject matter of this movie makes one want to watch it through. Although the focus of this movie is James Dean's visit home to Indiana and that isn't that interesting.

Unfortunately Dane DeHaan is so different looking from James Dean that it spoils the movie. His face is roundish and he just doesn't have the right look. James Franco was a much better fit way back when he did the TV movie. There must have been some actor out there who looked more like the subject. Also having the photographer better looking than the movie star made things unbelievable. Robert Pattinson has been struggling to get the right role after you know what and he is a good actor.

Disappointing.

It is so boring

[Gordon-11 · 16 March 2016]

This film tells the story of a freelance photographer who spots something special in James Dean, who has yet to make it super famous. He tries to do a photoshoot with James Dean, only to be pushed around and played with for weeks. They form an almost coercive yet deep relationship with each other.

I haven't watched a James Dean film, so I can't tell whether the demeanour portrayed is accurate or not. If it is accurate, I am rather unclear why a person who is mellow and yet manipulative can fascinate the world. I mean, his voice is monotonous as sleep inducing! The film is very slow, not much happens and things just drag on for way longer than it should. The characters are not interesting or sympathetic. There is nothing captivating about the story. The only thing I like about "Life" is the fact that Robert Pattison is finally looking healthy like a human, shedding his image of a vampire.

Great story, wrong leading actor

[carlosmancillabcs · 6/10 · 24 May 2021]

I just can't see Dean Dehaan as James Dean that's why I can't rate higher.

Definitely could've been better, but not a bad movie.

[DavidBell10 · 7/10 · 2 July 2016]

After watching Life on Netflix, I'm not really sure how I feel about it. The movie portrays Dennis Stock (played by Robert Pattinson) as a photographer who self-assigns himself to take pictures of James Dean (played by Dane DeHaan) for Life Magazine in 1955, the start of James Dean's big yet short career as an actor in films. The story itself was interesting, and I felt myself interested in the film, though some reviews called it slow and boring. The only thing really boring are the actors. Dane DeHaan seems held back throughout the movie and portrays James Dean as not a particularly interesting person, but more of just a bland guy off the streets. The same goes for Robert Pattinson, who I feel does a lot of things wrong in a few scenes he's in. I found myself, for both actors, mimicking how I personally would've directed the scene. I thought the director of Control, Anton Corbijn, would make a fascinating movie about the early career of James Dean. He succeeded, but at the cost of boring actors and some scenes that I just found to be pointless to the story, particularly the relationship between Dennis Stock and his family. As for recommendation, I definitely suggest you check out the movie. It's currently on Netflix, and is worth a shot, even if you don't feel the same as I do.

More like a character study drama then a real biopic

[851222 · 7/10 · 17 March 2016]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Life" (2015) isn't a real biopic. It is more of a persons portrait in that particular time and place - not the best, not the worst. Strange to say but "Life" is more like a character study movie then a real biopic about James Dean. Dane DeHaan acting was quite interesting. I'm still not sure was it good, but it surely wasn't the best real life person interpretation ever. Other were OK, nothing special.

Overall, if you are looking for a good James Dean biopic, this movie will probably be a bit disappointing. It is not particularly involving one, it is more of character study drama. Directing was pretty nice, although at the running time 1 h 45 min this movie is very slow paced, it is not a bad movie by any means, just not particularly engaging one because of the script. 7/10 in my opinion.

A performance piece

[siderite · 7/10 · 27 November 2016]

I don't know much about James Dean, so I can only comment on the movie and having seen it, it's two hours of performance pieces from Pattinson, still trying to clean the Twilight stigma off his name, and DeHaan, wanting to get out of the casting hole for a mentally unstable person in which he has found himself. Both of them did a great job.

Yet the script is slow moving through the subtle interaction between the two characters, happening just before James Dean became truly famous. Anyone expecting Hollywood shenanigans and bad boy theatrics is going to be disappointed. Instead, we are treated to two young men who are just beginning to figure out who they really are and tie a temporary bond a friendship over their shared confusion and the pressure of the world for them to be something else.

A beautiful movie, but one that shows only a glimpse of who Jimmy was and nothing spectacular or shocking. It is a "life" film, as my mother used to call these things, and therefore not appropriately entertaining for everyone.

I watched only the first half

[sawznhamrs-1 · 3/10 · 11 September 2021]

It seems the life of James Dean would be more interesting. He seemed very depressed or as if he were a pot smoker constantly, only it did not show him smoking any. I wonder if Dean was anything like this. It was an effort for him just to speak. It seems like the photographer would at least have been more interesting. I hope one of them had life better than what this movie could muster!

If this were the real James Dean there would have never been a movie!

[mashuganut · 2/10 · 7 December 2015]

I wanted to like this movie, in fact I would have liked this movie but for one very important thing: To watch this portrayal of James Dean by someone with such little charisma and animal magnetism and sorry Dane Dehaan "sex appeal" play someone like James Dean was just painful to watch, and utterly disappointing. I am not saying he is not a fine actor - IN ANOTHER ROLE - but let's get real, James Dean would have never been THE James Dean had he not been swoon-worthy, on screen and off, and I'm sorry but that simply does not apply to Dane Dehaan, at least in this role. (I haven't seen him in anything else that I can recall so I can't say he isn't fine in another role.) Unbelievable and unrealistic that any studio or the masses would have been pursuing THIS James Dean. The movie had so much potential but this unfortunate casting choice for the single most important part in the film killed it for me.

Deans short lived fame

[jimmydean-784-221261 · 8/10 · 7 October 2015]

The fact that my name is actually James Dean may come of as a cliché but it really isn't. Dane Dehaan captures Deans essence of carelessness at the beginning and his evolvement of becoming the actor he is now known for. Pattison plays a struggling father and stressful photographer who assigns himself the project of making James Dean a star by shooting a series of photos of Dean showing the world what he was like behind the camera. From Deans Hollywood stardom at the beginning to him and Dennis going back to where it all began for Dean in Indiana, Life is a subtle and beautiful look at the young stars game before he met his sad death so young. Life is a 2015 must see. If Dehaan doesn't even get an Oscar nomination for best actor I will be fuming. Everyone go see Life. It's brilliant.

No rebel and no cause

[ferguson-6 · 5/10 · 22 December 2015]

Greetings again from the darkness. The film's title has multiple meanings: "Life" Magazine as the source for the famous photographs we have seen so many times; the crossroads in "Life" of both rising star James Dean and photographer Dennis Stock; and a philosophical look at "Life" - how quickly things can change, and how we should appreciate the moments.

Director Anton Corbijn (A Most Wanted Man, The American) and screenwriter Luke Davies offer up a snapshot of 1955 as the not-quite-yet-famous James Dean (Dane DeHaan) traveled cross-country with photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) from Los Angeles to New York to Indiana. Each man was searching for their true self as Stock's professional ambition and personal stress are palpable, while 24 year old Dean's ambivalence about his pending superstardom borders on self-destructive.

DeHaan and Pattinson both underplay their roles, and it's certainly more than a little confusing to see Pattinson in a movie about James Dean where he is not the actor playing the icon. DeHaan captures the low key, soft-spoken side of Dean but only teases at the "rebel" studio head Jack Warner (Sir Ben Kingsley) wanted so badly to control. We get a feel for Dean's vision of challenging roles in quality productions … a commitment to the art of acting he no doubt sharpened in his time with acting guru Lee Strasberg. The story leans more heavily to the tale of photographer Stock, which is unfortunate, because he is significantly more awkward than interesting. Pattinson plays him as a social misfit who broods nearly as much as the "moody" young actor he is stalking through the streets.

The period look is well appointed, and we are privy to some of the moments of Dean's life just prior to the release of East of Eden and his being cast in Rebel Without a Cause. His relationship with Pier Angelli (Alessandra Mastronardi), friendship with Eartha Kitt (Kelly McCreary), and his bond to the family and farm of his childhood in Indiana are all captured. In fact, it's the clumsy relationship with Stock that comes across as the least realistic portion … though it may very well have happened this way. Even the manner in which the famous photographs were taken is underplayed … although it makes for a terrific tie-in with the closing credits where the real Stock/Life Magazine photographs are displayed.

It's now been 60 years that James Dean has exemplified Hollywood "cool", a label that can never be removed due to his tragic death in 1955 after making only three films. Capturing the essence of what made Dean cool is unnecessary because it's present in every scene of those three films, as well as the photographs taken by Dennis Stock. That's all the legacy either man needs.

Miscast main actors make this painful to watch

[moritz-imdb-231-176485 · 3/10 · 14 September 2015]

James Dean does not look like James Dean - more like Leonardo di Caprio in What's eating Gilbert Grape.

Robert Pattinson's acting skills were not up to the task either - the photographer did not come alive in this movie.

I found it very hard to build any empathy for any of the persons on the screen. The only interesting scene is the Ben Kingsley scene.

There is no action - at all. At the same time, the movie takes itself extremely serious - pretentious is what I would say. Melodramatic Jazz instrumentals accompany boring monologues of the James Dean-not-look-alike.

I walked out after an hour, stumbled on this in a sneak - definitely not amusing. Maybe only for die-hard James Dean fans, if you can tolerate the miscast main character. Or if you are a fan of the "iconic" James Dean shots (which I am not - hype is not my thing.)

James Dean - stoned teeneger

[missbabybo · 5/10 · 11 October 2021]

I can't stop thinking about the actor who played James Dean. Really bad. It is never only physical resemblance that's important. There are other things that makes the characters authentic. He looks like he is stoned all the time. The whole time i was thinking that James Franco would be better for the role...