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James Dean

Play trailer Poster for James Dean TV-14 2001 1h 36m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Starting with his childhood in Santa Monica, this biopic explores the tumultuous life and early death of James Dean (James Franco). Dean makes his Hollywood debut in Elia Kazan's "East of Eden," opening the floodgates for his film career. While enjoying his newfound success, Dean embarks on a relationship with Italian actress Pier Angeli (Valentina Cervi). His success, however, is overshadowed by his father's (Michael Moriarty) reluctance to bridge a painfully deep gap with him.

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James Dean

James Dean

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Critics Consensus

James Franco's uncanny portrayal of James Dean keeps this biopic engrossing, even as it emphasizes the Hollywood icon's myth over his more nuanced life story.

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Critics Reviews

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Ann Hodges Houston Chronicle 05/11/2020
A-
For Freaks & Geeks' James Franco, James Dean is a major breakthrough. He not only looks like him, but his mannerisms and his whole persona are startlingly real. This movie rests on his thin, hunched shoulders, and he carries it off. Go to Full Review Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel 05/11/2020
The movie itself is rarely adventurous, but it could prompt viewers to watch the actual Dean performances again. Credit for that would go mainly to Franco, who excels at playing this odd, conflicted figure. Go to Full Review Austin Smith New York Post 05/11/2020
Franco's metamorphosis into Dean ranks as one of the great TV performances of the year. And it would have been enough to earn James Dean a rave, but it's only one of several performances that set this movie apart. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd L.A. Weekly 05/11/2020
James Dean is an unusually intelligent job that benefits from the relative modesty of its production and straightforward direction. Go to Full Review M.S. Mason Christian Science Monitor 05/11/2020
James Franco is so Deansian, it's scary. The life story of the rebel without a cause has been shaped by fact and presumption into a startlingly enthralling drama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/21/2017 directing and screenplay meh, franco yeh See more panayiota k @Penny672 11/17/2015 I am a bit disappointed with the movie. I didn't like that it was focused around his dad and also the fictional parts can be confusing. People who haven't read anything about the real James Dean and they just starting to know him, will have misconceptions about his character. The cast is great though, Enrico Colantoni, Samuel Gould and of course James Franco in a quality movie without Seth Rogen for a change. See more 07/28/2014 James Franco's performance is perfect, his physicality and tone of voice is all truly James Dean. Heartbreaking performance. See more 07/16/2014 james dean was a real actor.... See more 05/08/2014 An okay made for TV movie that is worth catching because of James Franco's amazing performance. He simply becomes James Dean, completely embodying the film icon; the swagger, the sneer, the cigarette, the angst, the weirdness. This bio focuses on the difficult relationship he had with his absentee father, while also giving us glimpses of his years as a starving actor, sudden rise to fame and short movie career (three starring roles in two years.) There's also plenty of shots of "Little Bastard," the car he was driving when he crashed at the age of 24. This portrayal didn't particularly make me like JD, he comes across like a bit of a dick, definitely troubled and strange but I think its probably acucrate. The costumes are well done and James Franco is awesome. 5/18/14 See more 05/05/2014 James Franco was amazing , but the story left multiple details out of his life and fell flat on the floor. Even how he died was shortened to a small blurp. Iffy at best . See more Read all reviews
James Dean

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Cast & Crew

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Mark Rydell

Director

James Franco

James Dean

Michael Moriarty

Winton Dean

Valentina Cervi

Pier Angeli

Enrico Colantoni

Elia Kazan

Edward Herrmann

Raymond Massey

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James Dean

James Dean (2001) James Dean (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Starting with his childhood in Santa Monica, this biopic explores the tumultuous life and early death of James Dean (James Franco). Dean makes his Hollywood debut in Elia Kazan's "East of Eden," opening the floodgates for his film career. While enjoying his newfound success, Dean embarks on a relationship with Italian actress Pier Angeli (Valentina Cervi). His success, however, is overshadowed by his father's (Michael Moriarty) reluctance to bridge a painfully deep gap with him.
Director
Mark Rydell
Producer
George W. Perkins
Screenwriter
Israel Horovitz
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
TV-14 (S|L)
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 4, 2017
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Stereo