In 1955, photographer Dennis Stock was assigned by Life magazine to take photos of a little-known actor before his first major appearance in a film called East of Eden. That actor was James Dean.
The photos Stock took of Dean, first in New York and then around Dean’s family home in Indiana , would become iconic images of the young actor, who died only seven months after they appeared in print.
As director Anton Corbijn has stated, however, it was Stock who interested him more than Dean, and this interest is clear from the outset as the very first scene is of Stock (Robert Pattinson) in his darkroom.
Although he would later become world-renowned as a photographer, Stock was struggling to make a name for himself during the period in which the film is set. This is continually emphasised with Stock's editor John G. Morris (Joel Edgerton) telling him to ‘build a portfolio.’
Stock’s frustrations and his excitement at finding an interesting subject in Dean are effectively conveyed by Pattinson. The script doesn’t shy away though from depicting the less savoury parts of his personality, such as his egotism and his inability to connect to others. In one particularly telling scene, he cuts short a trip to the park with his son – who he rarely sees – to attend a business meeting.
Dane DeHaan also provides a solid performance as James Dean. He does a good job of capturing the quiet intensity that made Dean an epitome of ‘cool.’ Yet he also finds a troubled side to him and manages to show the anxiety that comes from having so much expectation on your shoulders.
Life provides an interesting exploration of the lives of its two main characters, both artists at key points in their careers. It also offers a sometimes painful look at the nature of celebrity.
There’s not a lot of showbiz glitz here, but there is a great deal of honesty. And that’s no bad thing.
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