LIFE (****)

(2015) I grew up with a love and fascination of classic Hollywood films, in particular those of the 1930's, '40s and '50s.  I still remember when I first saw Rebel Without a Cause and fell under the spell of Sal Mineo as Plato ... and, of course, the film's star: James Dean.  Dean was an incredible talent whose life was snuffed out at the age of 24 via a car accident before his third and final film, Giant, had even premiered, and Life tells the story of Dean (Dane DeHaan, in an understated and beautiful performance) not all that many months before his death, when he'd only just finished filming East of Eden yet managed to catch the attention of photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson, quite good in the far-less-showy role), who saw in Dean the mega-star he would become while the actor was still fairly unknown ... and becomes determined to shoot the actor for a spread in Life magazine.  But true to his nature, over time Dean proves more and more difficult to pin down, wanting only to act in quality work and unwilling to buy into the Hollywood machine of press and publicity and studios running their actors' live like cattle.  As the two men form somewhat of a friendship, Stock even accompanying the actor to his hometown in Indiana to try and discover - via his lens - the man behind the talent, the film quietly shows Dean for the flawed, intelligent, human, and supremely talented man who - with only three films - would become one of film's most beloved icons.  And for me (though I may be prejudiced, thanks to my love of classic Hollywood), DeHaan's performance alone brought all that vividly, elegantly to life; weeks later I still think of the film, of Dean, and of all that might have been.  (rated R)