James Dean (2001) (TV)

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writer (WGA):

Israel Horovitz (written by)

Release Date:

4 August 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The stars that burn brightest burn quickest

Plot Keywords:

Reference To James Whitmore | Hollywood | Party | Letter | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

James Franco	...	James Dean / Narrator
Michael Moriarty	...	Winton Dean
Valentina Cervi	...	Pier Angeli
Enrico Colantoni	...	Elia Kazan
Edward Herrmann	...	Raymond Massey
Joanne Linville	...	Hedda Hopper
John Pleshette	...	Billy Rose
Barry Primus	...	Nicholas Ray
David Proval	...	Daniel Mann
Samuel Gould	...	Martin Landau (as Sam Gould)
Amy Rydell	...	Christine White
Wendy Benson-Landes	...	Julie Harris (as Wendy Benson)
Karen Kondazian	...	Mrs. Pierangeli
David Parker	...	James Whitmore
Craig Barnett	...	George Stevens

Also Known As:

James Dean: An Invented Life (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild language.

Runtime:

120 min | Germany:92 min | UK:90 min | USA:95 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | UK:12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Five Mile River Films

Trivia:

James Franco became so immersed in playing James Dean that he went from being a non smoker to smoking two packs a day (he has since quit), as well as playing the guitar, the bongos, and learned to ride a motorcycle.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final crash, James flicks a cigarette out the window. But a few seconds later just before impact he is holding the cigarette again.

Quotes:

[about an audition]
Martin Landau: You never know. I mean look at me; when I tried out for "Tennesse Williams" I thought I was terrible.
James Dean: You were terrible... you didn't get the part
Martin Landau: Just a detail.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2002) (TV)

Hit and Miss

I watched this film with the idea I was going to hate it as I have all other attempts to recreate the life of James Dean, especially the one starring Casper Van Dien, which was deplorable. But the new TNT won me over more times than it missed. Without being aware, I discovered an occasional tear running down my cheek. James Franco did as well as anyone could to play James Dean. The times when he lost me were when Mark Rydell had him smile, full view with a horrible set of teeth. I realize this is picky, but if something is noticeable to break your concentration, then it is wrong. I wish Ted Turner had made this a two-nighter. There were scenes that could be expanded, especially with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan. I would've like to've seen more off-camera interaction between James and Julie Harris...and later on, when he became friends with Elizabeth Taylor and an enemy of Rock Hudson, two people that played predominant roles in the final days of James' life. Mark Rydell, who also directed, was marvelous a dead-ringer for Jack Warner. All and all I'd have to give it 2 1/2 stars out of four. It skimmed James's biography and could have had more depth, rather than playing on a sordid father-son relationship based on speculation. But thank God, Mark Rydell didn't spend to whole two hours exploiting James' relationship with Pier Angeli as the Van Dien version did, just to reinforce James Dean's preference for heterosexuality. I would love for Ted Turner to put out a three or four hour version of this same movie on DVD...I bet a lot of good scenes are lying on the editor's floor. All and all...pretty good show! (but could have been great without having to trim the movie for commercials).