Unfortunately "James Dean: Sense Memories" set my teeth on edge at practically the second sentence, which stated that James Dean only made three films. I mean, we all have our bugaboos. This is one of mine. James Dean only STARRED in three films, he did not MAKE only three films. Drives me crazy.
The documentary itself was interesting in that various people discussed Dean's acting style and his relationship with the three directors he worked with closely: Elia Kazan, Nicholas Ray, and George Stevens.
Those interviewed included his classmates, Martin Landau and William Basat, friend Eartha Kitt, costars Corey Allen and Lois Smith, screenwriter Bud Schulberg, George Stevens Jr., and others. I would have loved to have seen an interview with Julie Harris, but it was an interesting cross-section.
Most interesting to me was the section about "East of Eden," which discussed how much Raymond Massey couldn't stand him. I saw a documentary about Raymond Massey and boy, was that ever true. Dean comes across as somewhat self-indulgent as an actor, also improvisational at times, and in touch with his feelings, which helped him as an actor, though he didn't really open up to people. I had the feeling that he was eccentric and enjoyed it.
I also loved the description by Dean's friend and photographer Dennis Stock of the photo session in New York City, during which the wonderful portrait of Dean walking in the rain in Times Square was done. The photos throughout the documentary were wonderful.
Definitely of interest for fans of Dean's acting, not so much for those curious about his personal life. After seeing this, it's hard not to speculate about what might have been -- we know he was supposed to do "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and certainly would have been considered for roles that Brando and Newman eventually played. Twas not to be.
