A group of James Dean fanatics meet at the Five and Dime soda bar for their twenty year reunion where they trade stories about their memories of Dean's brief appearance in their town while filming the movie "Giant" when they were in high school. Filmed Broadway play features each of the characters coming in and out of focus as they confront one another's imagined lives and gradually begin to reveal painful secrets that have been concealed.
Impressive acting, in particular the neurotic characterisation of Sandy Dennis, showcasing her considerable talent as the group's spiritual leader whose son may or may not be the legendary Dean's progeny. Cher is also surprisingly good as the scorned waitress (in her first solo role sans Sonny Bono), while Black is typically bold and at odds with Dennis' almost child-like fixation.
A loose narrative is juxtaposed by a series of flashbacks, while frequent camera angle interchanges depict character reactions as the imbibing becomes the serum from which uncomfortable truths emerge. Might seem claustrophobic to some viewers, it's an immersive experience not without momentum issues, but possessing some superb performances. Dennis' expressive yet melancholy character is a highlight and another reminder of the void she left with her untimely passing in the early nineties.
Impressive acting, in particular the neurotic characterisation of Sandy Dennis, showcasing her considerable talent as the group's spiritual leader whose son may or may not be the legendary Dean's progeny. Cher is also surprisingly good as the scorned waitress (in her first solo role sans Sonny Bono), while Black is typically bold and at odds with Dennis' almost child-like fixation.
A loose narrative is juxtaposed by a series of flashbacks, while frequent camera angle interchanges depict character reactions as the imbibing becomes the serum from which uncomfortable truths emerge. Might seem claustrophobic to some viewers, it's an immersive experience not without momentum issues, but possessing some superb performances. Dennis' expressive yet melancholy character is a highlight and another reminder of the void she left with her untimely passing in the early nineties.