Giant (1956)
Starring Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor; with Dennis Hopper
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The plot spans a period of thirty years. In the beginning of the movie, James Dean's character, Jett Rink,
is a roustabout who lucks into a ownership of a tract of land on which oil is discovered. His "new money" lifestyle
is at odds with the "old money" mindset of Hudson's character, Bick Benedict. Rink makes a pass Bick's wife,
played by Elizabeth Taylor, and otherwise defies Bick. Bitterness ensues between the two men and lasts for decades.
Thirty years later, the ego-driven Rink is at the top of his financial empire. He throws an elaborate party
for himself at a hotel he owns in Austin. Among the guests are a senator and other political fawners whom
Jett has favored with his donations and connections. Jett, who is drunk, in confronted by Bick's son, Jordy
(played by Dennis Hopper) whose sister has been seeing the much-older Jett. While Jordy is restrained by
Jett's bodyguards, Jett mercilessly delivers a smashing uppercut to his jaw. Bick is enraged and calls Jett
out of the room, to the wine celler, for a fight. Jett cowers before Bick, who announces, "Jett, you want to
know something that's true? You're all through." Jett staggers back into the banquet hall, collapses into the
chair of honor, and rambles openly about his lifetime of regrets. The crowd disipates at the sight
of the disgraced tycoon.