Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Keepcase)
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Movie Reviews of Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Keepcase)
Movie Review: Not Bad
Summary: 3 Stars
In a recent review of Edna Ferber's novel, WASHINGTON POST book critic Jonathan Yardley states flat-out that the movie far surpasses the book. That wouldn't be difficult. You've got gorgeous scenery, James Dean and the lucious Liz Taylor, and Carole Baker and Dennis Hopper in good early performances. Even Rock Hudson, though still in earnest weeper mold, isn't overly annoying.
The problem with the film is that Dean's charismatic performance has to fight against the script, which requires him to be the villain of the piece. He is so appealing and poignant as the smart, lonely ranch hand who knows he's better than the smug ranch family he works for that when he's suddenly required to be a racist jerk, it just doesn't feel right.
That said, Dean is wonderful most of the time, from the early scene where he entertains Taylor at his painfully-shabby little house to the moment when he defiantly relaxes in Hudson's touring car, smoking a cigarette, to the moment when, drenched with oil from his first gusher, he races over to Hudson's ranch house, tells him off, and slugs him for good measure.
As for Taylor, she is simply delightful as the pretty girl from Virginia who may move to Texas but refuses to behave like Texas women are supposed to--in the middle of one fight, she reminds Hudson that she'd WARNED him she was an awful woman, and then smiles and wins the argument yet again. She eventually even conquers his inborn racism and inspires him to duke it out with the owner of a greasy spoon who refuses their Mexican daugther-in-law service.
But that scene is also a mark of what is wrong with the film; like far too many films of the period, it portrays racism as something residing only among the poor and uneducated, when in fact it was top-down infection, even a good strategy to keep poor whites and poor blacks from teaming up to take on their real enemy. But the flaws can't keep this from being an enjoyable film.
Movie Review: Quaint epic?
Summary: 3 Stars
The "Giant" in the title would be Texas, the story an epic detailing the life of a rich Texan land owner, his family, and associates. What begins as definitely a giant production, what with large music, large sets, panaramic views, and a massive land to cover unfortunately rushes through a bit too much information over its three hour plus period, but maintains its pace via a daring most films of the time didn't have.
The daring I speak of begins right from the beginning with Elizabeth Taylor basically criticizing Texan history right in front of the Texan character Rock Hudson. But soonafter follows a love and family story as Leslie is meant to see it in all of its large, 525,000 acre glory.
We stay relatively happily with this couple and the pending drama of a young hand Jett (James Dean) before the story goes into rush mode. This is definitely a situation where the book had a lot of stuff to cover, and the movie had to cover important parts with only a passing glance. It's a testament to George Stevens' skill that we're able to get the idea via the quick shot to an important plot point before the movie moves on, but it has the unfortunate side effect of disallowing the real drama to build. Scenes that are supposed to create a major change for the characters, like finally transitioning from cattle to oil, are ended without a moment of exploration into what it actually means for the characters themselves. Marriages that are supposed to present controversy are sudden and relationships are developed in less than two minutes of screentime. It gets rather difficult to truly appreciate what's going on for all of the characters.
On the other hand, the movie still is able to present characters, and presents them in a way that is endearing while still taking the time to comment on controversial issues. Feminism, interracial marriage and prejudice, and the overarching theme of the transition from Big Cattle to Big Oil (think of it as an agrarian-to-industrial transition, if you must transplant its themes to a more worldwide scope) keep this movie from being anything like boring or tedious. The performances are also key in maintaining attention, and indeed every character, even the ones that do things we don't like, are in the end completely relatable.
I wouldn't call it a landmark of film, but I can definitely see why it has and will stick around for a while.
--PolarisDiB
Movie Review: Giant is a BIG Texas yarn
Summary: 4 Stars
GIANT is one of the must see movies! It's not so much that it portrays anything close to the real Texas, but that it does do a good job in making you feel like Texas is that big.
James Dean is at his best rebel self, even when aged to 50+.
Movie Review: My well came in Bick, I'm a rich boy!
Summary: 5 Stars
James Dean as Jett Rink hits paydirt in this "Giant" epic about Texas land barons, wildcatters, and Hereford cattle..Though Dean had limited screentime in "Giant", he is the essential player in this star-powered saga directed by George Stevens of "Shane" repute..The movie was shot in Marfa, Texas, near El Paso, and included a mix of local talent, adding a touch of authenticity, and West Texas flair to the project..Sadly, Dean was killed instantly in a carwreck travelling to an auto racing event in Salinas, California in his Porsche Spyder, pre-wrap "Giant", and never lived to attend the world premiere of his most inspired performance..However, Dean will forever be remembered (frozen in time in pin-up posters all over the world) sitting in the backseat of Bick Benedict's Duesenberg, smoking a ready-roll cigarette, cowboy boots propped up in confident repose, deer-skin gloves folded regally over the knee, trying the life of rich boy on for size..Jett inherited a marginal slice of the million acre Reata Ranch after Luz Benedict (Mercedes McCambridge) was killed (thrown from a stud-horse), and gratuitously remembered Jett in her will..It was whispered Luz was carrying-on with Jett, an insubordinate, pouty cowhand, behind brother Bick Benedict's back, who despised Jett as big sis's "pet" project..Jett in a burst of self-improvement spuds an oil well on his spread, the "Little Reata", and strikes the motherlode..And drives drunk, in white-trash fashion, across the manicured lawn of the Reata Ranch leading up to the big house, drenched in oil head to toe, and goads Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson) up on the porch.."My well came in Bick, my well came in so big, I'm a rich boy..You all thought I had a duster, well I'm here to tell you boy, it's here..I'm a rich boy, I'm a rich boy..Did you think ole Burkburnett was all there was?..Well I'm here to tell you it's here, and there's more down there, bigger wells, and there ain't a dang thing you can do about it..You and the rest of you, "Sons of Benedicts"..And Uncle Bawley (Chill Wills) shakes his head and speaks, "You should have shot him a long time ago Bick, now he's too rich to kill."Movie Review: THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE
Summary: 5 Stars
GIANT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIES EVER MADE.
ROCK HUDSON, ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND JAMES DEAN GIVE
PERFORMANCES OF A LIFTIME IN THIS EPIC STORY OF
RANCHING, OIL DRILLING, MONEY AND PREDJUDICES.
I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS DVD TO ANYONE.