it is kind of difficult to parse today, i'm still not sure to what extent it was actually subversive in it's context, but it wasn't that much, or presented in the overt way (hammer over the noggin') a yankee audience requires. a lynchpin of the narrative, the awaited and expected execution of natalie wood for being 'defiled'---i don't think it occurs to a modern audience that the price for being SA'd was supposed to be death, and it was somewhat dated in the 50's when the movie came out. so that commentary and criticism will well fly over people's heads