The man behind the legend and a knowing look at 1950s Hollywood are revealed in this dynamic biopic of the meteoric star whose troubled life echoed his gut-grabbing performances in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.
Directed by Mark Rydell
musician
icon
biography
hollywood
dying young
1950s
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
James Franco
James Dean
Michael Moriarty
Winton Dean
Valentina Cervi
Pier Angeli
Enrico Colantoni
Elia Kazan
Edward Herrmann
Raymond Massey
Joanne Linville
Hedda Hopper
John Pleshette
Billy Rose
Barry Primus
Nicholas Ray
David Proval
Daniel Mann
Amy Rydell
Christine White
Wendy Benson-Landes
Julie Harris
Karen Kondazian
Mrs. Pierangeli
Crew
Mark Rydell
Director
Israel Horovitz
Screenplay
John Frizzell
Original Music Composer
Bill Gerber
Executive Producer
Mark Rydell
Executive Producer
Nancy Foy
Casting
Yvonne Blake
Set Costumer
Billy Mitchell
Thanks
Bill Hader
Production Assistant
Mic Rodgers
Second Unit Director
Dan Perri
Title Designer
Popular Reviews
48 reviews
Gavin Torrez
5.0★ · 02/27/26
for a movie about acting, the acting is pretty subpar
for a movie about acting, the acting is pretty subpar
meow cat
7.0★ · 04/03/25
cried to this, worth watching
cried to this, worth watching
Paul Hugo
6.0★ · 03/05/25
James Franco didn't play James Dean, he became him. Beautiful film, great portrayal of a star who died too soon.
James Franco didn't play James Dean, he became him. Beautiful film, great portrayal of a star who died too soon.
Ruby
8.0★ · 02/13/25
This is actually the ultimate ma Shayla moment. James and Piere were ugh just idk I think about them all the time
This is actually the ultimate ma Shayla moment. James and Piere were ugh just idk I think about them all the time
D1rtyJo3
8.6★ · 02/10/25
I don't know much about James Dean so I don't know if he was that crazy on set and didn't know that cut actually meant cut cause he was really choking out someone but James Franco with that redish brown hair, suave and charisma James Dean had really knocked it out of the park.
I don't know much about James Dean so I don't know if he was that crazy on set and didn't know that cut actually meant cut cause he was really choking out someone but James Franco with that redish brown hair, suave and charisma James Dean had really knocked it out of the park.
