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James Franco, Michael Moriarty, Edward Herrmann, Mark Rydell, Valentina Cervi ... see more see more... , Amy Rydell , Sam Gould , Enrico Colantoni , Craig Barnett , Kyle Chambers , Wendy Benson , Israel Horovitz , Joanne Linville

During his all-too-short career (three starring roles in two years), James Dean helped to radically redefine the way teenagers were portrayed onscreen (and in popular culture in general), and the expr... read more read more...essive naturalism of his performances did more to establish the "method" school of acting in the public mind than any other actor outside of Marlon Brando. James Dean is a made-for-cable biography that looks at the star's short but troubled life, his years of struggle before his sudden rise to fame, and the car crash that took his life at the age of 24. James Franco stars as James Dean, with Michael Moriarty as Winton Dean and Valentina Cervi as Pier Angeli, the actress Dean loved. Produced for the TNT cable network, James Dean first aired on August 4, 2001. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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78% liked it

1,872 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Mark Rydell

Release Date: August 4, 2001

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DVD Release Date: January 22, 2002

Stats: 161 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (161)

  • MizturY0da
    September 5, 2011
    MizturY0da
    three stars
  • DocHalister
    October 8, 2011
    DocHalister
    I really liked this picture. "Only" a made-for-TV production yet it's the best "biographical fiction" of any major Hollywood actor that I've seen. James Franco is mesmerizing, totally convincing. Even more important here is Mark Rydell: He directed the film, served as Executi... read moreve Producer (meaning he promoted the concept of the picture to the money people, to the point it got produced), and ALSO plays the role of Jack Warner. (The Warner Brothers Studios boss)." The scenes he's in--where he squares off with renegade actor James Dean--are the best part of the whole movie. It's like watching the proverbial Irresistible Force meeting the Immoveable Object! This should be shown in an acting class... Great stuff.
  • SunilJawahir
    August 8, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Really liked it. Maybe a little dramatic in parts but James Franco does a pitch-perfect job!
  • ileo
    April 9, 2009
    ileo
    Here's an interesting movie that centralizes on the life and death of James Dean. James Franco portrays the Hollywood star in this intriguing story plot that marks his success. Worth seeing!
  • alienmindtrick
    February 3, 2010
    alienmindtrick
    James Franco has never had a role so tailor-made for him as playing James Dean. In this movie, he doesn't so much play James Dean as wear him like a fine garment; he's tucked away in the fabric and James Dean has reincarnated to animate it. You just forget completely that you'r... read moree watching James Franco, and that's a DAMNED hard thing to do. This is a lovely film and has a superb cast. Notable players were Kyle Chambers as the sweet, loving young James Dean, and Enrico Colantoni as the director Elia Kazan. I will certainly watch this again.
  • poptartfiend
    October 10, 2009
    poptartfiend
    it was okay. parts of it really dragged, which is amazing considering how dramatic dean's life was -- just bad writing. and though the end states the movie is all fact and 'educated guesses,' some of the most important parts of it were pretty much fictional. for example, it's pre... read moretty obvious that his relationship with pier angeli was completely blown out of proportion and probably mostly just for appearances. and as far i can find, there is no evidence that his father was possibly not his actual father. ...yeah.
  • jrmcm
    December 19, 2008
    jrmcm
    Franco at his best, but James Dean is simply overrated and his personal life isn't dramatic enough to sustain the film.
  • limoradalloway
    August 24, 2008
    limoradalloway
    Startling performance by James Franco (they showed all that on TNT?). I was glued to the tv wanting more, expecting more. Bittersweet movie-viewing experience.

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Critic Reviews

David Nusair
July 22, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...entertaining, in a movie-of-the-week sort of way. Full Review

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James Dean Trivia

  • SAME NAME: Jason Biggs in American Pie James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries Sean Penn in We're No Angels John C. Reilly in Magnolia  Answer »
  • Which actor plays the role of James Dean, in the film based on his life?  Answer »
  • Who is the only actor to receive TWO posthumous Oscar nominations?  Answer »
  • James Dean was in 3 movies before he died. Which of the following was he NOT in?  Answer »
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