Nothing is Without Cause

Madisen Stubbs | January 2019 - 3 min read

Nicholas Ray makes his way into my list of top 5 directors of all time. Whether it be Rebel Without a Cause, They Live By Night, or one of my favorite noirs, In a Lonely Place (starring Humphrey Bogart-a review to come), deep and dark secrets run wild in his films.

One of the things I love most about movies is subtext. Honestly, subtext is life or death for me. A golden rule in film is to “show not tell.” Great films do this with ease and Rebel Without a Cause is an example of that.

Fair warning, I think I may digest movies differently from the average movie-goer. Movies entertain me but they also make me think more deeply than I probably should. I’m also the type to watch a movie over and over until I’m done studying it. After that, it’s pure enjoyment unless current life circumstances cause me to realize other bits and pieces of the film.

Back to Rebel Without a Cause: this film stands the test of time. Teenagers will always rebel with or without cause; it’s human nature. Cleverly, this film introduces us to James Dean’s character, Jim Stark, as a troubled teen who is new in town. Contrastingly, Natalie Wood plays Judy who is perhaps just now starting to rebel. At school, Judy hangs out with the rough kids, the types to play with death in their spare time. One more character is highlighted, ‘Plato,’ played by Sal Mineo (another actor gone too soon), who seems to be the most well-educated, well-brought up kid in this entire world. He is also the character I will be focusing on today.

But first, if you haven’t seen Rebel Without a Cause I am telling you right now: grab some popcorn, a cozy blanket, put this film on and take it in.

"Madisen, classic films are so awful and boring!"

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‘Plato’

Nicholas Ray and company bring us three characters. Each one is from a different background but they share a common issue. Whatever has happened to them at home has stirred up rebellion in their hearts. Jim (Dean) lived life with a father who has been too much of a drunk to keep a job in any single town. Judy struggles, the way many young girls do, with being an adult and with trying to still be a daughter to your father. She needs love from her father, belonging from her friends, and acceptance from both. When she can’t get what she wants from both, she seeks it elsewhere. Jim gives her sincere love, with Jim and ‘Plato’ she receives belonging and acceptance.

Film scholars often point out the subtext regarding Plato’s sexuality. All of the pieces are there: parents are divorced, mom is never home, he already feels weird and out-of-place at school. Then along comes Mr. Cool himself, Jim Stark. Plato sees Jim and realizes that it’s okay to not belong with a group or try to fit in. Foreshadowing occurs early in the film. Plato’s pathological lies, distance from reality and identity point to, not how disturbing his sexuality is, but his mental health. It’s easy for people to criminalize this film for villainizing the “gay character” but that’s not what I see. I see a character whose struggles are so internal, we don’t have a chance to begin to understand them. All we get to witness is the boiling point.

Finally, Plato finds the family he’s always wanted. In a moment of misunderstanding, Plato sort of snaps and begins to distrust the people he has become close to. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end well which can be said for any relationship. With your friends, family or lover, losing trust leads to all kinds of issues. That is the light-hearted message from Rebel Without a Cause.