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On the Waterfront | Year: 1954 Classification: Drama Directed: - Elia Kazan Actors/Actresses: - Marlon Brando - Karl Malden The quintessential Brando performance... Marlon Brando's performance alone justifies watching this movie. Without mentioning any of On the Waterfront's other merits, it could be given 5 stars simply because of his brilliant interpretation of his role as Terry Malloy, the confused and inarticulate former prize-fighter. In addition to Bran To be, or not to be (a rat) Elia Kazan directed this movie shortly after he "ratted" on a bunch of communist sympathizers whom he worked with in Hollywood to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Marlon Brando, playing the hero (Terry Malloy), a washed up boxer in the movie, ratted on his boss, Johnny Friendly, played by Lee J. Cobb. His only excuse for being a rat was that Friendly had his brother and his girlfriend's brother killed, along with a bunch of other folks. One gets the feeling that maybe Kazan was making an apology, in his own way, for tattling on the left-wingers who controlled Hollywood (and still do?). The movie is good entertainment, and it won several oscars, including one for Kazan and one for Brando. In my opinion they were well earned. This is an old one, in black and white, and I've seen it now several times. It is still impressive. Some think it was Brando's best screen performance. Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint also turned in good performances. Probably the least convincing was the part of the priest played by Malden. His dialogue was sacharin, but that is the fault of the script, rather than Malden's. If you like movies with a heavy message, you'll like this one. Joseph (Joe) Pierre A re-edit of my April 8, 2002 review This story, about a dockworker named Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) and his battle against union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb), is I consider one of the best movies ever made. Despite this, some have criticized scenes of the movie and even present debatable underlying themes. Above all else, its said that Elia Kazan used this as an excuse to show why he testified to the House Un-American Activities Committee on communists. But this movie does much more than justify such actions. Now I don't know about politics, so I will sidestep that minefield as much as possible. Though this movie is excellent, I do have however have some quibbles. First, most of the battle lines are too clearly drawn. It's obvious who's good (Father Berry, played by Karl Malden and Edie Doyle, played by a debuting Eva Marie Saint) and who's bad (Friendly and the other union bosses). But there are a few exceptions. For example, Terry's brother Charlie the Gent (Rod Steiger), has been and is working for Friendly when Terry is subpoenaed. This puts Terry in a hole, since he knows that Father Berry is right in having him testify on crimes that have occurred, yet his own family is involved with the managers he will bring down. Thus, Terry is uncertain about who his real friends are until after he testifies. Another problem with the movie is that some of the actor's try too hard. Cobb and Malden overact quite a bit, with many conversations erupting into argument (Cobb and Malden shout about 508f their lines). But, in my view, they are all superior to today's stars who can't act out of bed. And most of their melodrama occurs in scenes where their characters are or are trying to be the center of attention. Until recently, my biggest grudge would have been with the film's ending, which I originally considered too upbeat, confusing and out of place. But, some recent comments I have received have caused me to reconsider it. Terry's walking back to work following his beating can be paralleled with the story of Christ when he was crucified only to come back to life. The others following him back in is similar to Christ's followers ascending with him into heaven. And, to those who still find it confusing and out of place (Beside myself), the ending is foreshadowed by Malden's speech in the freighter hull after a dockworker is killed. Also, a similar event almost occurred in real life: According to an e-mail I received, a vote was taken among the real life dockworkers as to whether they wanted to replace their corrupt union. They failed, but narrowly. The ending surprised many film critics since it didn't match with the grim mood and most would have preferred to see Terry die at the end or fall down or something. While I too thought the ending would be more downbeat, could these people have done better? Now, to the film's morals. I know that it's hard to sympathize with a snitch, especially to snitch on one who was so good to you. But, this is a film about conscience a I LOVE THIS FILM It is unfortunate that it took Brando's death for me to realize the acting genuis he was. In this movie he brought forth such a vulnerability that you wanted to root for him. His acting is brilliant, I can understand why he won an Oscar for this performance. I now know what true acting genius is, it was Brando. Highly recommend this movie. Buy On The Waterfront at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on On The Waterfront Search with the Priority Search Engine on On The Waterfront This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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