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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

Tommy's contention that James Dean is more of a dancer than an actor because of the striking, mesmeric way he moves about the big screen is compellingly argued in this excellent essay. But even so, Dean's considerable skills as an actor are not ignored. I particularly like this paragraph, which I think captures the essence of him very well:

"He’s so much more than an icon of angsty teenage cool. Whether communing with the Roths’ cat in a striped shirt, or sculpting intently, a Lucky Strike dangling from his lips, or stripped to the waist, washing his Porsche like a doting father, you feel his soul in all its tangle. His aching, complicated joy."

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siru kadhai's avatar

Reminds me of a similar swaying man of the swinging 60s in India - Shammi Kapoor. Most actors do not know what to do with their hands. He choreographed his moves while sitting on a boat or a chair - the woman had to blush away. Shammi looked a lot like Elvis.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6b/86/a7/6b86a721e237bf921b776d3c30cf8b7f.jpg

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