"Rebellion Without a Cause" has undoubtedly become a classic movie, as a youth film, without losing its charm. However, the time has passed, I watched this movie, and I felt just a kind of discomfort.
Whether it is the "Beat Generation" or a youth film that reflects juvenile delinquency, the protagonist of the film is male, and the female Judy is just like these males. They are equally obsessed with patriarchal culture. In my opinion, this film is not a direct presentation of the original family problems, but a naked advocacy of "manhood", as if there is no such thing, men, women, or families must collapse.
Judging from his words and deeds, Jim is still a boy with clear thoughts. Obviously his father did not teach him badly, such as teaching him to be honest and to listen to his thoughts in a pleasant manner. That's right, this father seems a little weak in the movie, and lacks in "manhood", but why can't men wear an apron, cook, and pack things? It can only be said that the father himself does not understand the heart of a teenager, and he does not know how to guide his confusion. Obviously whether he is sufficiently "masculine" is not the key reason. The same is true for his mother. She is just a woman who talks and has no ideas. It is not like some commentators say. Jim’s family is "lack of patriarchy and mother is too strong." If the mother is indeed a strong and educated People will not take him to move again and again to escape, making the teenager's rebellious psychology intensified. It can be said that such a family is not enough for the children to grow up well, but Jim's bigger problem should be the pervasiveness of the social patriarchal culture. Because his father is not "manly" enough, he has always felt that he is a "coward". In fact, Frank represents this kind of culture. The whole society wants boys to be strong. When they see that they are weaker, they have to beat the opponent to admit defeat. Jim is not confident enough, so he faces such school violence, and Jim himself agrees. Such a male positioning, so he has to rebel and fight to define his male identity.
Plato lost his parents, he is weaker than the average boy, or not as full of hostility as the average boy who wants to be a "man" every day. But society just can't tolerate him, without friends, can only play alone in the deserted fortress. Jim brought his hope for the unknown male world, heroism and friendship. He probably gave Jim a feeling like a father, a brother or even a lover. However, Jim is just a minor struggling in such a culture. In the end, he was not able to protect him. Of course the most ridiculous thing is that underage Plato was shot with an empty gun. Even if he shoots at any time, how many people can his marksmanship hurt? I don't know the shooting rules of the US police at that time. I can only say that it is very unhuman rights.
In reality, the roles of Jim and Plato seem to be controversial about their homosexuality, and they are also struggling enough in the film. What makes me feel ridiculous about the whole film is the setting of "straight male cancer". Whether it is a female or a male, it is obvious that Judy likes the strong guy (but at the same time I hope the other person is considerate and gentle...), and Boys who can't be strong, such as Jim, can only force themselves to be strong, while Plato can only be out of place.
Maybe every child wants his father to be strong when he is young. I have to say that it is an emotional tendency that everyone will prefer to prefer better people, but he blindly makes men "manly" and worships such violent behaviors. , It's very funny. The director probably reflects a social phenomenon, and the death of the two teenagers does not seem to give the society some alert. Now society is slowly becoming more neutral, just like the wise saying "great souls are hermaphrodite", "straight men" to fear, surly, and violence, can not make people like it more, it will only bring more harm , And respect for others, be kind to oneself, and be strong and gentle, should learn when a teenager grows up.
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