Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Join us by picking three movies that fit the week's theme and posting something about them.
Teen angst, this week's topic for Thursday Movie Picks, may look different for everyone, but it pretty much feels the same. Feelings so big that you can barely express them to anyone, let alone yourself. And that's the common thread with my picks - they are all deeply, DEEPLY felt in all aspects of their production.
Rebel Without A Cause (Nicholas Ray, 1955) Has there been a better-filmed vision of teen angst than this one? James Dean's Jim Stark is what everyone remembers the film for (pretty tough to remember anything else in the movie when it practically opens with him drunkenly blaring "Ride of the Valkyries" and later slaying the line "YOU'RE TEARING ME APART!"), but Sal Mineo's Plato and especially Natalie Wood's Judy are even better visions of what it was like to be a misunderstood teenager in the 1950s, where suburban conformity and outward appearances meant everything. Nicholas Ray's florid direction sets the tone, and the entire cast responds in kind, performing on a near-operatic level that is totally appropriate given the emotions on display. There's a reason this one still resonates with teens now, 60 years(!!) later.
Heavenly Creatures (Peter Jackson, 1994) Based on the true story of two 1950s New Zealand girls who killed one of their mothers, Heavenly Creatures is a knockout of a film, one that came early in the careers of director Jackson and stars Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey, and that is very nearly the best work any of them have ever done. Like Rebel, this one puts its homosexual subtext only just barely beneath the surface, as it explores the close, nearly obsessive bond that forms between Pauline and Juliet, including the fantasy world they create... and what happens when their parents decide they are becoming too close. It's a stunning vision, with a completely unique tone that Jackson, along with his fantastic cast, perfectly balances on a knife's edge.
Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001) Has there ever been a character that looks more like contemporary teen angst than Jake Gyllenhaal's Donnie? Dark hair combed forward, with a haunted, far-away look in his eyes, this is turn-of-the-millennium teen angst incarnate. Kelly's film incorporates aspects of sci-fi and horror to give teen angst a physical presence in the form of Donnie's visions of an apocalyptic event and a man in a bunny suit. Donnie Darko is a weird, strange, unforgettable trip of a film.
It's never stated outright, but it is STRONGLY implied that Plato is gay, and slightly less strongly implied that Jim might be, too. Watch/read The Celluloid Closet and they go into it more in depth.
I shouldn't be surprised that Rebel Without a Cause is the title of the week but for some reason it never occurred to me which just seems incredible to me now. It does capture that tortured isolation of teenhood which could have only been exacerbated by the repression of the 50's. I know Dean's is considered the iconic portrayal, and he is excellent though I prefer his work in East of Eden as another deeply conflicted teen, but I think Mineo and Natalie Wood's performances are more notable.
Love the choice of Heavenly Creatures, far more of a disturbing film than Donnie Darko because of its roots in reality and fact. Winslet and Lynskey couldn't be better.
I appreciated Donnie Darko for its invention and skewed attitude, and solid performances, but one view was enough.
A deep well of choice for this week's theme so I mixed it up a bit with some drama, comedy and one wacky WTF endeavor.
Kitten with a Whip (1964)-After shivving a guard and trying to torch juvie hall, delinquent hellcat Jody (Ann-Margret) takes it on the lam roosting at the coop of rising politico David Patton (John Forsythe). Mad for a pad to lay low she puts the shine on him while throwing off lingo like "Why do you think you're such a smoky somethin' when you're nothin' painted blue?" Cool to her ridicule he gives her the gate. She splits but flies back to his igloo with two other hooligans and forces Dave to burn rubber down Tijuana way, it’s a bad scene though and they’re all slated for crashville. The tagline for this far-out opus? “She’s all out for Kicks…and every inch of her spells EXCITEMENT! She’s a real smoky kitten!” Its mad hipster crazy cool, baby!
The Doom Generation (1995)-Two disconnected teenagers pick up sexy drifter Xavier, who radiates a savage vibe and who leads them down a path loaded with sex and violence. As they travel through a series of small towns a cloud of doom hangs over them which no matter how they try clings to them.
Teen Wolf (1985)-Scott (Michael J. Fox) is a normal mopey teen mooning over a girl who doesn’t know he exists and playing on a losing basketball team. Then he begins to notice when he gets upset he starts to feel different. He father pulls him aside and shares something he’s kept from him. Surprise! He’s part werewolf. By letting his inner beast out he becomes popular, the girl notices him and the team starts winning but he has to control his anger or the wolf will take over. Silly but fun comedy is helped immeasurably by Fox’s charm in the lead.
Honorable Mention-To Sir, with Love (1967)-Unable to find a job in his chosen profession American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) accepts a position teaching a group of angry rebellious teens in Eastern London. Using somewhat unorthodox methods he confronts their initial jibes and defiance ultimately garnering their respect and helping them work through their angst.
I can't believe you didn't think of Rebel Without a Cause at all, although I thought you might not pick it for figuring everyone else would. I completely agree that Mineo and Wood give the better performances in Rebel, Dean's icon status notwithstanding.
I've never seen Kitten With a Whip but DEAR LORD I need to. I love Ann-Margaret! Teen Wolf is of course fun. I've heard of, but never seen, The Doom Generation.
I really need to see To Sir, With Love. A big hole in my viewing, given my love for Sidney Poitier.
Maybe because it's so venerated that I've grown weary of it but Rebel isn't my favorite film of any of its creators filmographies. It's good and obviously strikes a nerve but as far as James Dean goes I'd much rather see him in East of Eden. Natalie's wonderful in this but if I'm in the mood for one of her films I'll go to The Great Race, Splendor in the Grass, Gypsy or Marjorie Morningstar before I consider this. And Nick Ray has a handful, In a Lonely Place, A Woman's Secret, Johnny Guitar, Bitter Victory and especially The Lusty Men-which I could watch once a week and never tire of it-that I prefer to Rebel. So its never in the forefront of my thinking.
However the ludicrous Kitten with a Whip was the first thing that I thought of for this. It's a hoot and a half. I also love Ann-Margret-particularly 60's AM (and of course in Tommy) though she made some horrendous stinkers during that time.
Have you ever seen The Pleasure Seekers? It's the musical updating of Three Coins in the Fountain wherein A-M does a full on flamenco dance! It's the kind of thing that requires a huge suspension of belief in pretty much every aspect, i.e. when she's trying to comfort a weepy heavily made up Pamela Tiffin and wearing a ton of makeup herself(as they all do throughout) she tries not to cry exclaiming "What am I doing! I'm not wearing any mascara!! It's that kind of movie. Made in Paris is another in a similar vein fun (and loaded with fashion since A-M play a buyer on a scouting trip) but empty. However avoid The Swinger which is just beyond stupid and so garishly shot you'll have a headache at the end.
I haven't seen The Pleasure Seekers but I've heard of it, and it's on my list. I LIVE for Ann-Margaret in 60s camp.
I kind of agree with you on Rebel, although it is my preferred Dean performance. Natalie's crowning achievement that I've seen is indeed Splendor in the Grass (which is a better overall film, too), and Nick Ray has too many great films to mention, although I do think Rebel is very, VERY good.
Love love the picks!! Forgot about Heavenly Creatures, nothing gets more angst than creating a whole imaginary world for yourselves and killing your mother to keep it.
Hey....we both picked Rebel which is just THE teen angst film for all teen angst films. I really liked Heavenly Creatures and Donny Darko is also excellent
I've only seen Donnie Darko, and well, didn't do it for me. However, I think I have to give the disclaimer which is I've only seen it once. Not sure if/when I'll go back to it. And for the thousandth time today, I still haven't seen Rebel Without a Cause. I know, I know.
I think I appreciated Donnie Darko more than I actually liked it. Or, I like it to the extent that I do more for what it's trying to do than for how well it does it.
I've seen all of your picks. Can you believe I didn't even think of Rebel without a Cause - like how can I overlook the quintessential teen angst movie.
I have yet to watch Heavenly Creatures and Donnie Darko! I really should get around to them. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteDonnie Darko is good. Heavenly Creatures is GREAT. Both are very different from your average movie.
DeleteWait, does that mean Rebel is actually a gay film? I watch it and I don't see it...lol maybe it's just me.
ReplyDeleteIt's never stated outright, but it is STRONGLY implied that Plato is gay, and slightly less strongly implied that Jim might be, too. Watch/read The Celluloid Closet and they go into it more in depth.
DeleteI don't love the last film but love the choices.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't be surprised that Rebel Without a Cause is the title of the week but for some reason it never occurred to me which just seems incredible to me now. It does capture that tortured isolation of teenhood which could have only been exacerbated by the repression of the 50's. I know Dean's is considered the iconic portrayal, and he is excellent though I prefer his work in East of Eden as another deeply conflicted teen, but I think Mineo and Natalie Wood's performances are more notable.
Love the choice of Heavenly Creatures, far more of a disturbing film than Donnie Darko because of its roots in reality and fact. Winslet and Lynskey couldn't be better.
I appreciated Donnie Darko for its invention and skewed attitude, and solid performances, but one view was enough.
A deep well of choice for this week's theme so I mixed it up a bit with some drama, comedy and one wacky WTF endeavor.
Kitten with a Whip (1964)-After shivving a guard and trying to torch juvie hall, delinquent hellcat Jody (Ann-Margret) takes it on the lam roosting at the coop of rising politico David Patton (John Forsythe). Mad for a pad to lay low she puts the shine on him while throwing off lingo like "Why do you think you're such a smoky somethin' when you're nothin' painted blue?" Cool to her ridicule he gives her the gate. She splits but flies back to his igloo with two other hooligans and forces Dave to burn rubber down Tijuana way, it’s a bad scene though and they’re all slated for crashville. The tagline for this far-out opus? “She’s all out for Kicks…and every inch of her spells EXCITEMENT! She’s a real smoky kitten!” Its mad hipster crazy cool, baby!
The Doom Generation (1995)-Two disconnected teenagers pick up sexy drifter Xavier, who radiates a savage vibe and who leads them down a path loaded with sex and violence. As they travel through a series of small towns a cloud of doom hangs over them which no matter how they try clings to them.
Teen Wolf (1985)-Scott (Michael J. Fox) is a normal mopey teen mooning over a girl who doesn’t know he exists and playing on a losing basketball team. Then he begins to notice when he gets upset he starts to feel different. He father pulls him aside and shares something he’s kept from him. Surprise! He’s part werewolf. By letting his inner beast out he becomes popular, the girl notices him and the team starts winning but he has to control his anger or the wolf will take over. Silly but fun comedy is helped immeasurably by Fox’s charm in the lead.
Honorable Mention-To Sir, with Love (1967)-Unable to find a job in his chosen profession American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) accepts a position teaching a group of angry rebellious teens in Eastern London. Using somewhat unorthodox methods he confronts their initial jibes and defiance ultimately garnering their respect and helping them work through their angst.
I can't believe you didn't think of Rebel Without a Cause at all, although I thought you might not pick it for figuring everyone else would. I completely agree that Mineo and Wood give the better performances in Rebel, Dean's icon status notwithstanding.
DeleteI've never seen Kitten With a Whip but DEAR LORD I need to. I love Ann-Margaret! Teen Wolf is of course fun. I've heard of, but never seen, The Doom Generation.
I really need to see To Sir, With Love. A big hole in my viewing, given my love for Sidney Poitier.
Maybe because it's so venerated that I've grown weary of it but Rebel isn't my favorite film of any of its creators filmographies. It's good and obviously strikes a nerve but as far as James Dean goes I'd much rather see him in East of Eden. Natalie's wonderful in this but if I'm in the mood for one of her films I'll go to The Great Race, Splendor in the Grass, Gypsy or Marjorie Morningstar before I consider this. And Nick Ray has a handful, In a Lonely Place, A Woman's Secret, Johnny Guitar, Bitter Victory and especially The Lusty Men-which I could watch once a week and never tire of it-that I prefer to Rebel. So its never in the forefront of my thinking.
DeleteHowever the ludicrous Kitten with a Whip was the first thing that I thought of for this. It's a hoot and a half. I also love Ann-Margret-particularly 60's AM (and of course in Tommy) though she made some horrendous stinkers during that time.
Have you ever seen The Pleasure Seekers? It's the musical updating of Three Coins in the Fountain wherein A-M does a full on flamenco dance! It's the kind of thing that requires a huge suspension of belief in pretty much every aspect, i.e. when she's trying to comfort a weepy heavily made up Pamela Tiffin and wearing a ton of makeup herself(as they all do throughout) she tries not to cry exclaiming "What am I doing! I'm not wearing any mascara!! It's that kind of movie. Made in Paris is another in a similar vein fun (and loaded with fashion since A-M play a buyer on a scouting trip) but empty. However avoid The Swinger which is just beyond stupid and so garishly shot you'll have a headache at the end.
I haven't seen The Pleasure Seekers but I've heard of it, and it's on my list. I LIVE for Ann-Margaret in 60s camp.
DeleteI kind of agree with you on Rebel, although it is my preferred Dean performance. Natalie's crowning achievement that I've seen is indeed Splendor in the Grass (which is a better overall film, too), and Nick Ray has too many great films to mention, although I do think Rebel is very, VERY good.
Love love the picks!! Forgot about Heavenly Creatures, nothing gets more angst than creating a whole imaginary world for yourselves and killing your mother to keep it.
ReplyDeleteLOL TRUE THAT!
DeleteHey....we both picked Rebel which is just THE teen angst film for all teen angst films. I really liked Heavenly Creatures and Donny Darko is also excellent
ReplyDeleteRebel really is THE film on teen angst. It's indelible.
DeleteHey...Where are you?? Hope all is well:)
DeleteI've only seen Donnie Darko, and well, didn't do it for me. However, I think I have to give the disclaimer which is I've only seen it once. Not sure if/when I'll go back to it. And for the thousandth time today, I still haven't seen Rebel Without a Cause. I know, I know.
ReplyDeleteI think I appreciated Donnie Darko more than I actually liked it. Or, I like it to the extent that I do more for what it's trying to do than for how well it does it.
DeleteI've only seen Rebel Without a Cause and I absolutely love it. Need to see the other two.
ReplyDeleteYay! Rebel is SO good. The other two are definitely musts, though Heavenly Creatures slightly more so.
DeleteYaass Donnie Darko and Heavenly Creatures! I love those two.
ReplyDeleteYAY! Although I'm really wondering what it is you don't like about Rebel Without a Cause...
DeleteI've seen all of your picks.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I didn't even think of Rebel without a Cause - like how can I overlook the quintessential teen angst movie.