The story features three teenagers, each from dysfunctional families. Jim (James Dean) has a shrewish mother (Ann Doran) and spineless father, leaving him afraid of becoming a 'chicken' like his father (Jim Backus). Judy (Natalie Wood) has a father (William Hopper) who is physically repelled by her, making her anxious to find love from a father substitute. Plato is a creepy, sad-faced teen whose parents are absent, leaving him to be raised by a nanny (Marietta Canty). Plato is looking for substitutes for both mother and father, momentarily achieving this when Jim and Judy appear willing. Anyway, that is my amateur psychological evaluation of the leads. Your mileage may vary.

Our three troubled teens have brushes with the law and with gangs of tough-talking hoodlums led by Buzz (Corey Allen) and Goon (Dennis Hopper). "Rebel Without a Cause" expresses the theory that juvenile delinquents from affluent, 'good' families is not the fault of the mixed-up kids, but their mixed-up parents. The apparent conclusion is that the social problem can be solved by assigning a psychiatrist to every juvenile offender, ideally with their parents participating.

James Dean's onscreen persona is surprisingly sensitive and loyal to his friends. He only resorts to violence when he is forced to, except for a frustrated attack on his dithering, hapless father. Backus actually wears a large, matronly apron throughout one lengthy scene: Dean, you'll have to find a role model elsewhere.

"Rebel Without a Cause" was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor (Mineo) and Actress (Wood). Dean was posthumously nominated for Best Actor that year, but for the film "East of Eden", losing to (believe it or not) Ernest Borgnine.