Life (2015)

A photographer for LIFE Magazine is assigned to shoot pictures of James Dean.

Director:

Anton Corbijn

Writer:

Luke Davies (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Pattinson, Dane DeHaan, Peter Lucas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Pattinson	...	Dennis Stock
Peter Lucas	...	Nicholas Ray
Lauren Gallagher	...	Natalie Wood
Kendal Rae	...	Messy Actress
Drew Leger	...	Boyfriend
Dane DeHaan	...	James Dean (as Dane Dehaan)
Alessandra Mastronardi	...	Pier Angeli
John Blackwood	...	Raymond Massey
Jason Blicker	...	Journalist
Emily Hurson	...	Publicity Trooper
Kristian Bruun	...	Roger
Joel Edgerton	...	John Morris
Emma Pedersen	...	John Morris' Secretary
Stella Schnabel	...	Norma
Allison Brennan	...	Jack Warner's Assistant

Storyline

This movie chronicles the story behind the 1955 LIFE Magazine photo thread by Dennis Stock of then-rising star, James Dean, and gives us an inside look at some of Hollywood's most iconic images and into the life of a gifted, but troubled man.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | actor | 1950s | female nudity | topless female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK Germany Canada Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Life - La naissance d'une légende

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,231,606

Company Credits

Production Co:

See-Saw Films, Barry Films, Corner Piece Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pier Angeli (Alessandra Mastronardi) asked Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) to compare between James Dean and Paul Newman as they were both newcomers. The fact is, that Newman's career went high after collecting all of the roles destined to be Dean's after his death, specifically Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) (with Pier Angeli) and The Left Handed Gun (1958).

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Goofs

Dennis's son had not finished his sandwich when they left the park. Where did the bag go?

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Quotes

James Dean: [from trailer] Are you gonna make me famous?
Dennis Stock: I guarantee it!

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Connections

References East of Eden (1955)

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Soundtracks

Dreamin's No Good

User Reviews

Real Life is Dull

Not that this necessarily pertains to the period of interaction between Dean and a photographer, but Dean was a race car driver. He was heavily involved in that during that year. So he wasn't just a restless spirit laying around. He had a daredevil spirit and lots of races. He was portrayed here as a bored farm boy. What I did like was showing how people get to know each other over time, and how life is actually fairly boring even for a burgeoning star during the inactive hours of a week. Even James Dean has to eat, sleep, visit family, and sign paperwork.

But there was not much reason shown for anyone to find Dean interesting. Even the photographer, who was initially captivated by some indescribable quality, scolded him for being a whiny self-interested nobody.

Having said that, and having read comments from Dean fans, I am willing to believe that the real Dean had charisma and a face that expressed pain and depth.

I liked the farm sequence. It showed you that Dean wasn't really a rebel, because he loved his family, his home town, and America. Everyone comes from somewhere. He's from a sleepy small town in the Midwest and his mother died when he was young. That should explain his sleepy demeanor tinged with sadness.

The nudity was great, because that girl was beautiful. But it was totally gratuitous. There is absolutely no reason to show boobs when two people are talking in bed.

You do get a sense that the country is on the brink of a new vibe, with the balance of old and new in the culture., and our characters' comfort in hanging out with black folks.

Look, there's not much to this story, but it is mildly interesting to see the life of a struggling early Hollywood photographer, and a fresh star. Plus I always enjoy depictions of male bonding, with all their ups and downs.

Unless those things interest you, avoid it. Because like life itself, this thing is dull.