Parents' Guide to

Life

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Flat James Dean biopic has swearing, some nudity.

Movie R 2015 111 minutes
Life Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

BobJ123
BobJ123 Adult
March 25, 2020
age 5+
Great
Madison.Ave
Madison.Ave Adult
December 11, 2015
age 14+

LIFE is worth seeing, it's a very good film

Dane DeHaan is excellent as James Dean. He's not a clone, but he has the essence of Dean, he captured his flavor and made he seem like a real person, not some far removed idol. He was totally believable, and this review is not reflective of what a majority of the critics thought. His scenes with his young cousin are very touching, and his interaction with Pattinson has exactly the right chemistry. On the whole, Life has an unassuming quality that draws you in and makes you feel like you were a part of the 1950's scene, with fantastic work by the location, set decoration and costume departments. Wonderful, moody jazz score, too. It's available on iTunes and on demand, and I highly recommend it.

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What's the Story?

In early 1955, James Dean (Dane DeHaan) was about to break out. His first big film, East of Eden, was complete but hadn't been released, and he was about to be cast in Rebel Without a Cause. He wasn't quite a star, but Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson), a photographer for Life magazine, saw something in him. Over the course of a few weeks, even accompanying Dean to his small Indiana hometown, Stock persuaded the actor to pose for a series of photos that have since become some of most iconic images of the charismatic young celebrity-to-be.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The biggest issue with LIFE is DeHaan's portrayal of Dean -- and that's a big issue in a James Dean biopic. DeHaan plays the iconic actor as all swagger and little depth, more like his defiant character in Rebel Without a Cause than his own person; it's an affected performance that doesn't reveal the charisma that propelled the young actor to stardom. Pattinson's Stock seems more real, and we feel his frustration as he juggles deadlines, family, and an uncooperative subject as he tries to get the shots he needs.

While Life is told through the lens of Stock's experience, the story is all about Dean, and without a compelling James Dean, there's not much reason to watch. People who don't know much about his off-screen life probably won't feel like they've learned much about him from the big-screen Life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about James Dean. Do you think Life captures the young actor's charisma? Can you tell why he was so popular?

  • How does Life's take on James Dean compare to the way stars are often shown in other biopics? Is he portrayed as a role model?

  • What role did the media play in James Dean's life? In his status as a star/icon? How does that compare to stars' relationship with the media today?

Movie Details

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