Director: Elia Kazan
Year: 1954
Country: US
Language: English
"I could've been a contender" says Marlon Brando as the depressed Terry Malloy, in one of his best performances of his career. On the Waterfront was my introduction to the filmography of Marlon Brando and to films made in the 50's. It is a film full of emotion, betrayal and rebellion. It inspired me and stirs my soul. Whenever I am being opressed in my own life, I say "What would Terry Malloy do?" and I stand up for what's right. I watch this every six months, just so I don't take the film for granted if I watch it too often. I am extremely excited that the Criterion Collection has a spectacular 3 Disk boxset being released in February. Sorry ladies, on Valentines Day I'm going to be with Brando.
Marlon Brando stars as Terry Malloy, a man who dreams about being a prize fighter, while tending his pigeons and running errands at the docks for Johnny Friendly, the corrupt boss of the dockers union. Terry witnesses a murder by two of Johnny's thugs, and later meets the dead man's sister and feels responsible for his death. She introduces him to Father Barry, who tries to force him to provide information for the courts that will smash the dock racketeers.
The film was based on the true story of a longshoreman who tried to overthrow a corrupt union. Unfortunately in life he failed, but in art anything is possible, so he succeeds. Terry Malloy is a Moses/Jesus like figure in this film. Standing up for what's right, not only for himself but for those around him who are trying to stay D&D (deaf and dumb) so they don't die or lose their jobs. History and literature is filled with stories like Terry's, but I find this the most effective.
I absolutely hate the the political context of this film. Essentially it's Elia Kazan's response to all the people who criticized Kazan for identifying eight alleged former communists to the HUAC (House Commitee of Un-American Activities) in 1952. Essentially if the HUAC identified you as a communist or former communist you would be kicked out of the United States. Occasionally the system worked but for the most part innocent people (like Chaplin) were kicked out and careers were ruined. I find it absolutely disgusting that Kazan likens himself to Malloy and thus, unlike films like Rules of the Game, I have to completely ignore the political context in order to enjoy the film.
In conclusion, viewed outside of Kazan's personal political context it is a film about something that is all too familiar with the majority of people, corruption and unequal distribution of power. It's ironic that although On the Waterfront was made to justify selling out commnunists, it is a very marxist as it is filled with Maxist ideals about equality and marxist critiques regarding capitalism . Filled to the brim with great acting and cinematography, it's a contender for being one of my favourite films ever made. Praise it! 5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment