Splendor in the Grass (1961)

 Elia Kazan's "Splendor in the Grass"

Coming out of the 1950s, there was a certain eye-rolling quality in American cinema that continued to persist. The films very either very propagandic or very overdramatic. I felt the sting of stupidity emanating from Elia Kazan's 1961 film "Splendor in the Grass." Although it doesn't an egregious amount of offense and does contain some engaging elements, its attempt at continuing Kazan's pulse on American youth felt very dried up.

It stars Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty as a teenage couple, Deanie and Bud, in 1928/29 Kansas. The pressure from all the adults in their life about their future and status cause their relationship to spiral. This eventually leads to their separation and individual problems that stem from it.

There's really nothing more to the story. In the beginning, I felt a sense of promise on its initial themes. Kazan had made plenty of film's dealing with the problematic upbringing of modern American teens. The expectations and pressure placed on the youth cemented a worthwhile concept for the film to explore. However, as the film progressed, I don't feel as though it loses interest in these themes. Rather than using its 'coming-of-age' aspects for a more social benefit, it views the dynamics of a 'Romeo and Juliet'-esque story through this lens. 

Overall, "Splendor in the Grass" manages to caress the seams of potential greatness without actually diving deep into its actual splendor. It certainly looks and feels like an Elia Kazan film, but without any sense of thematic depth. The only solace I took from the film was the exceptional beauty and grace of its two leads.