it's awful not to be loved. It's the worst thing in the world

East of Eden (1955)

Chosen by Lauren Parker who had this to say: 'Nowhere near as great as Rebel Without a Cause but far less of a chore than Giant. Everyone should have to watch Dean's three main performances as in a rare case he lives up to the hype!'

Dean really does make for a great actor. Moments here are painful to watch as the emotions are so raw and powerful in his hands.
Eden takes a little while to get going but it works it's over the top melodrama (all crazy family secrets, betrayal, talk of war) expertly. The big way it achieves this is that all the characters and generally trying to do the right thing. When Dean's father throws back the gift he has been given it's completely understandable but still devastating.
Considering it involves picking beans and failing to make refrigerated trucks it's mostly riveting, living in the small moments of massive emotions.