Login
Hmmm... there were a lot of things that I thought were pure genius about this film. However, in other ways, I was quite disappointed. Where I thought Giant was awesome was obviously the fantastic acting and directing. Also, it had absolutely breathtaking art direction and cinematography. On the other hand where I was slightly disappointed was that the scenes and pretty much the whole film was a bit too long. Giant is a 50s epic that I think has been inspired by Baz Luhrmann's Australia in some ways.
Giant tells the story of Jordan "Bick" Benedict (Hudson). He is the head of the rich Benedict ranching family in Texas and goes to Maryland to buy a stud horse, War Winds. While there he meets and courts the socialite Leslie (Taylor), who later becomes his wife. They return to Texas to start their life together on the family ranch. Jett Rinks (Dean) is the family handyman. He is envious of the Benedict wealth and flirts with Leslie much to Bick's dismay. Rock Hudson's performance as "Bick" Benedict was absolutely awesome! Elizabeth Taylor's performance may not be one of her best performances but it certainly is one that cannot be missed. Now onto the main star of the film: the late James Dean. I loved his performance in Giant! Jett is a very typical James Dean character because he is young, amusing and most of all charming. Dean received his second posthumous Oscar nomination. Dean tragically died in a car accident before the film was released. Nick Adams was called into doing some voice-over dubbing for Dean's role. Out of the two leading actors in the film, James Dean was the best. Jett Rink was based on oil tycoon Glenn Herbert McCarthy (1907-1988).
George Stevens couldn't have directed Giant any better. Because of Dean's death in late production of the film, Stevens found himself in a hard situation like Gilliam's situation with Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus. One difference, though: Dean died just when filming pretty much ended, Ledger died just over half way through filming. Stevens originally wanted to cast Alan Ladd as Jett Rink but Ladd's wife was against it so role went to Dean instead. Grace Kelly was offered the role of Leslie before Elizabeth Taylor accepted the role. As I previously said, I feel that Luhrmann used a lot from this film and George Stevens' work in this film. Giant was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1957 and out of those 10 nominations; it only won one for Best Director for George Stevens. It was also nominated for Best Leading Actor (both Rock Hudson and James Dean), Best Supporting Actress (Mercedes McCambridge), Best Art Direction (Colour), Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture 1956.
Overall, Giant is an enjoyable classic that I perhaps wouldn't watch again. It has its flaws but so do most films. It is an epic that I think any fan of classic films would enjoy.
7/10
