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Richard Thomas (The Waltons) stars as a college student who takes the death of emerging superstar James Dean very hard. He and his friends steal liquor, hold a séance, and pull pranks on the parked cars on ‘lover’s lane’ until a tragedy finally ends their night of recklessness. I’m not sure if there’s a clear message or deep meaning to September 30, 1955, but it seems to be commenting on youthful infatuation with stardom and whether or not such idolization is healthy or harmful. It also captures the essence of Dean’s powerful hold on 1950s teens — notably the first generation of young people targeted by marketing and media.
For fans of James Dean’s films, it’s fun to see writer/director James Bridges (The Paper Chase, The China Syndrome) draw several narrative and thematic parallels to Dean’s East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause, even hiring composer Leonard Rosenman to reprise his classic themes for those films. Reminiscent of American Graffiti with its young ensemble embarking on a night-long odyssey, September 30, 1955 oozes with warm nostalgia vibes — a ‘hangout’ movie where the plot matters less than the time spent with relatable characters.
The acting is good all around. Richard Thomas anchors the piece with an odd blend of melancholy and determination. We can understand where his infatuation with Dean comes from, even if it pains us to see the how far he lets it guide him. The supporting roster is full of notables, including Tom Hulce (Amadeus), Dennis Quaid (Enemy Mine), and Dennis Christopher (Fade to Black) as Thomas’ college buddies, and Oscar nominee Susan Tyrrell (Fat City, Forbidden Zone) as the colorful mother of Thomas’ gothy girlfriend (Lisa Blount).
With Deborah Benson, Mary Kai Clark, and Collin Wilcox.