It's a "Giant" of a Picture

Movie Review #12: Giant, 1956

I loved seeing Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in this big Texas soap opera! Although I'd watched this movie, or portions of it in the past, I underestimated how much I enjoyed the acting of these big stars. They have such charisma on the screen that it is a pleasure to sit through the three and a half hour film.

My favorite parts are the smart dialog between Taylor and Hudson, where Hudson is always one step behind, and doesn't even know he's lost the battle until it's too late. Although Hudson is bound and determined not to give up any of his rancher ways, Taylor manages to smooth out some of the rough edges, making him a little more human, while not diminishing his Texas pride.

This movie was #86 on the original AFI Top 100 Movies List, but fell off the 10th anniversary edition of the list. I recommend it just for the sheer size!