i thought this packed a much better story than 'rebel w/o a cause,' but that might be because they adapted it from the work of a master, steinbeck.

I would've enjoyed it more had I not read the book, but this is so distractingly different from the book that I really can't enjoy it much. Where is Lee? What about "timshel" and all the great thematic achings of the book? James Dean is very good, though.

Steinbeck's East of Eden is a multi-generation saga, but the movie that made James Dean a star (just in time for his death) reshapes only a sliver from the expansive novel. As it must, only hinting at some of the older characters' backgrounds and motivations, and sometimes using their story as surprise revelations. Inspired (as the title suggests) by the story of Cain and Abel - here: Cal and Aron - from Cain's perspective, the jealous brother desperate to get the love of his father, but as the fruit of a sinful mother, unable to get ever obtain it. The love of his brother's fiancée may be more in reach. It doesn't strictly adhere to the Biblical tale, coming to different conclusions by simply asking WHY Cain went bad. So it's really all about Dean's performance as a kid who breaks the rules for no good reason, which is both a quality and a fault in him. Many will empathize with the parent-child relationship even if Steinbeck fans may feel his work was butchered. For me, while I liked the performances and the psychology they suggested, the adaptation from the novel made for a meandering second act. As a result, I wasn't always invested as much as I needed to be.