The Disciples of James Dean is an all-female fan club planning to meet on the 20th anniversary of the actor's death at the Woolworth's five-and-dime store. The movie flashes back to the stormy night when James Dean was filming Giant some 62 mile away. Juanita is the religious store owner. Sissy (Cher) is there. Club members brash Stella Mae (Kathy Bates) and mousy Edna Louise show up. Mona (Sandy Dennis) is hiding a secret about her son Jimmy Dean who she claims to be James Dean's son. Joe was the only man in the group and had a sex change since then arriving as Joanne (Karen Black) driving a Porsche.
Director Robert Altman has woven a dreamy tale from the Ed Graczyk play. I do have a couple of problems with this. It's hard to be convincing for the same actress to play the same character 20 years apart. Other than the weather and Joe/Joanne, the flashbacks don't always stand out enough. Sandy Dennis' performance is compelling but the dialog feels unreal. Altman may not be taking full advantage of the movie medium making this feel very much like an unreal play outside of time. Also the reveal has no shock value since it is hinted at throughout the movie. Nevertheless the acting is superb and the movie works.
Director Robert Altman has woven a dreamy tale from the Ed Graczyk play. I do have a couple of problems with this. It's hard to be convincing for the same actress to play the same character 20 years apart. Other than the weather and Joe/Joanne, the flashbacks don't always stand out enough. Sandy Dennis' performance is compelling but the dialog feels unreal. Altman may not be taking full advantage of the movie medium making this feel very much like an unreal play outside of time. Also the reveal has no shock value since it is hinted at throughout the movie. Nevertheless the acting is superb and the movie works.