James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young

Customer Reviews:

A decent James Dean Biopic.......2006-05-29

I just bought this movie on DVD, but I had seen it on TV about 4 years ago.Since I had seen it before, I obviously liked it well enough to buy it.Let me start out by saying that I am a huge James Dean Fan.As far as I know there have been only 3 movies made about James -this one, the James Franco 2001 version and the 1976 TV film.I have not seen the 1976 version so I can't comment on it. Everyone knows and agrees that the Franco version is excellent and the best of all the James Dean films, but this movie is far from being as bad as most people seem to think it is.In fact I think that it is underrated and uncredited in many areas.This film is hated by a lot of Dean fans who feel that Casper made a horrible Jimmy.I don't agree.I don't think there is a person on the face of the Earth that can accurately portray the greatness and magnetism that is Jimmy. James Franco came closest, but Casper did not do a bad job. I'm a fan of Casper's too and I think that he did a fair job here.Carrie Mitchum was the perfect Pier Angeli.She was fantastic .She was the perfect Pier . She is similar in stature to Pier and her accent was perfect. She even looks like Pier a bit.She has played the role of Pier the best so far hands down... What is most overlooked and underappreciated about this film though is its deep exploration of the romance between Jimmy and Pier. Its the major part of the story here and no other Jimmy film so far has devoted this much time to the Jimmy/Pier romance or delved this deeply into it.And as a Jimmy/Pier fan, I really love and appreciate that.I think that their romance hasn't been depicted enough in either books or film.And for those two things alone, the film deserves a lot of credit and praise.The film is a lovely tribute to their love.The soundtrack is full of 50s Music.And the transfer to DVD is really bright and clear with great sound.

Before I wrap up my review, I'd like to comment on a couple of mistakes made by my fellow Reviewers. I don't think the film necessarily depicted Natalie Wood badly. By her own admission, she had a big crush on Jimmy and she often flirted with him almost the entire time she knew him.That has been stated in many books.

And Jimmy did see and speak to Pier again at least a few times after they broke up. They spoke on the phone while she was in the hospitalafter being injured on a plane while she was pregnant and a couple of Jimmy's friends saw her over at his house not long before he died. That in the book Little Boy Lost if anyone cares to read it.
Just thought it was important to clear those things up.

Pretty bad movie.......2006-01-02

I don't know anything about James Dean. I'm not a fan of his. The only reason I saw this film is because my wife picked it up for a dollar.

The film makes James Dean look like a jerk. I'll give you an example. He is in love with an Italian girl, and in front of her mother he insults Italians by referring to one as a pasta head.

He is a self centered and annoying jerk throughout much of the movie. Reading other reviews on this site, it seems that he wasn't that way in real life.

Also, I remember reading somewhere that he had a terrible relationship with his foster parents, and that he received a lot of beatings. In this film, his dad is just peachy with him. If they can't even get that right, I have to wonder who this film is about.

There is an ultra phony scene where James Dean makes a tough guy basically quack like a duck. He tells the tough guy to admit that he is a yellow chicken, and the guy does, all because James Dean is holding a finger against the guy's eye. What a stupid scene. The guy should have grabbed his hand and pulled it away from his eye, and then socked him. How stupid was this? You can't just stand there holding your finger to someone's eye. It simply doesn't work. Either you poke the man's eye or you get your hand pulled away, one or the other. It is not difficult to pull someone's hand away from your damn eye and move your head back.

The whole movie was intent on portraying James Dean as some tough guy with an attitude, rebel without a cause. It was just stupid. That was the name of a movie. That wasn't the biography of a three dimensional man.

The love of his life, Pier Angeli, came off as an idiot, even moreso than Dean. She loved Dean but she married Vic Damone because her mother told her to. What? What century were these people living in? That was ridiculous. If I am to believe these characters as presented, I can feel no sympathy for that moronic girl, but only scorn, and wish her the worst. Too bad she didn't get killed in a car wreck. Moron.

All in all, a frustrating and stupid movie. I was rooting against the characters because they were so damn annoying and stupid. I was wishing them the worst. A nice happy ending would have been for them all to fall in quicksand and sink.

Suprisingly Good.......2005-09-30

After all the negative reviews I've read on this, I was suprised that I actually enjoyed this film. It's not as deep as the James Franco version, but it was still a good film. It shows the more crazier side of Dean, which I think is completely true, because I have read about Dean and seen bios on him and a lot of people do say that he is a wierd guy and a bit crazy. Him being a genius actor, I'm not so suprised that he is a bit crazy. Anyway, the film did heavily go over the Pier Angeli love affair. Though I doubt James Dean actually loved her as much as the film emphasizes, I do believe that she really loved him. This movie didn't touch on the homosexual side of Dean, though not an appealing fact about his life, it's still part of his history. The Franco version didn't really go over this either, but it still touched upon this part of Dean's life in a classy way. This movie is perhaps half accurate and half not, but I still enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to any James Dean fan like myself.

A much underappreciated film just like the man James Dean..........2005-04-05

This film never claims to be a COMPLETE or ACCURATE autobiographical release. Its a combination of fact and fiction. Just like Hollywood itself.

I do feel Casper Van Dien does a very good role playing James Dean. I mean honestly how can you expect ANYONE to measure up to the man himself. We all know and agree James Dean himself is just larger than life and borders more on the edge of something beyond words. He was just so talented, just so enigmatic!! Even today his body of work touches each new generation in so many ways.

Granted, if you are looking for a complete chronological movie about the life of James Dean then look elsewhere. But if you are looking for an interesting little movie then watch this. If you are a James Dean fan of any sort then I feel this movie is worth watching and even owning. Casper Van Dien IS A WONDERFUL actor. This movie just proves it. This movie is also interesting because I beleive this is the LAST film the veteran actor Robert Mitchum EVER appeared in! I mean this man in his own right is a film legend. Also it is the FIRST movie to ever star Robert Mitchum's granddaughter.

This is a neat little flick about a PORTION of James Dean's life. It represents that part of his life rather well. The enigma that is "James Dean" today is probably so far removed from the real man we would all be hurt if the truth were known. He represents something different to each of us. That is what makes James Dean the "legend" so AWESOME. This movie just adds a little to that legend and enigma!!!

As Phony as it Gets!.......2005-03-23

I am an avid James Dean fan who has read numerous accounts of his life. This one is completely fictional! First of all, it doesn't mention his early life or his New York days, it only tells about his relationship with Pier Angeli. Also, it shows him flirting with Natalie Wood and other girls he knew only as friends. This makes him seem girl crazy or stupid! If this is your first sample of what Jimmy was like, don't be fooled. I'd suggest the TNT biopic with James Franco if you want authenticity.

Average customer rating:

James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young

Manufacturer: Digiview
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000BCNJ1O

Product Description

Casper Van Dien (Sleepy Hollow, Starship Troopers) stars as James Dean in the retelling of this enigmatic bad boy that infatuated America and captured their hearts. Film begins with Dean's first rise to Hollywood stardom. Reportedly, Dean was very much in love with Pier Angeli and they planned to marry, but her mother blocked the union because Dean wasn't Catholic, and helped arrange Pier's marriage to Vic Damone. Before she committed suicide, Pier wrote that Dean was the only man she had ever really loved. Approx. 100 Minutes, Stereo Compatabile with all DVD Players.

The James Dean Story & James Dean, Live Fast Die Young - 2 Seperate DVDs In Set

Average customer rating:

The James Dean Story & James Dean, Live Fast Die Young - 2 Seperate DVDs In Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

The James Dean Story & James Dean, Live Fast Die Young - 2 Seperate DVDs In Set
The James Dean Story - Biography DVD
James Dean
James Dean, Live Fast Die Young - Drama DVD
Casper Van Dien

ASIN: B000TBH9M2

Product Description

The James Dean Story & James Dean, Live Fast Die Young - 2 Seperate DVDs In Set DVD 1. The James Dean Story: James Dean's life was cut short in an auto accident. He was just 24 years old. Despite this his 3 major films, East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause, & Giant were enough to ensure his status a major Hollywood movie star and an American legend! This acclained biography was produced by Robert Altman & George W. George and narrated by Martin Gabel. B. & W. , 82 min., Audio: English Dolby Digital. DVD 2. James Dean: Live Fast Die Young: He was a rebel, a hearthrob, a rising movie star and in one fateful moment he became a legend! James Dean: Live Fast Die Young re-enacts the metoric rise and untimely death of 1950's movie idol James Dean (Casper Van Dien of Starship Troopers). The year is 1954 and James Dean has become an overnight sensation. But his love for movies overshadows his love for fast cars and beautiful women, and sends him on a journey that will end in his death! Also Stars: Diane Ladd, Mike Connors, Connie Stevens, Joseph Campanella and Robert Mitchum in his final movie! Audio: English 5.1 Surround Stereo, Subtitles: Espanol, Color, BONUS: Trailers & Star Biographies, 100 min.

James Dean: Live Fast Die Young [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

A decent James Dean Biopic
Pretty bad movie
Suprisingly Good
A much underappreciated film just like the man James Dean...
As Phony as it Gets!

James Dean: Live Fast Die Young [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000667LX

Customer Reviews:

A decent James Dean Biopic.......2006-05-29

Pretty bad movie.......2006-01-02

Suprisingly Good.......2005-09-30

A much underappreciated film just like the man James Dean..........2005-04-05

As Phony as it Gets!.......2005-03-23

James Dean Live Fast, Die Young Casper Van Dien ~ SAME DAY SHIPPING ~

Average customer rating:

Worst movie about deans life.

James Dean Live Fast, Die Young Casper Van Dien ~ SAME DAY SHIPPING ~

Manufacturer: Digiview Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000FLKXVK

Product Description

James Dean is remembered as the perfect embodiment of the rebellious American youtl. Rising to megastardom seemingly overnight, he quickly became an idol of teens everywhere in the 1950's. Casper Van Dien (Sleepy Hollow, Starship Troopers, Dracula 3000) stars as James Dean in the retelling of this enigmatic bad boy that infactuated America and captured their hearts. James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young explores the life of this young man who, struck by an untimely death, was tranformed into a legend.

Customer Reviews:

Worst movie about deans life........2007-02-11

first of all I only bought this movie because it cost a dollar. I'm a dean fan and thought this movie was so badly done. They just threw together alot of famous facts about James dean. They way the filmakers portray Dean an pier's love story is so corny and overdone. If you want to see better versions of a dean movie bio watch the 2001 tv movie with James franco or the
1976 version with Stephen McHattie.

DVD:

DVD

DVD