Movie #35: On the Waterfront. Or really, standing up to the man.

Title: On the Waterfront

Starring: Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Year: 1954

Number on the AFI List: 19

"You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am."

Y’all, this movie is FANTASTIC. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. The cast, the story, the cinematography, everything about this movie worked together beautifully. I would expect nothing less from the great Elia Kazan! On the Waterfront is about Terry (Marlon Brando), a longshoreman/former prize-fighter, who works for the union bosses in their schemes to keep control of the workers (i.e. kill people). He slowly begins to see the light through the help of a priest, Father Barry (Karl Malden), and the sister of one of the men killed, Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint). Should Terry remain loyal to the union gang in order to keep him and his family safe? Or should he do what is just? These questions and themes not only take place in Terry’s life, but in the life of Father Barry. Father Barry wakes up to his own hypocrisy early on in the film, after Edie points out that his rightful place is doing justice on the streets, not hiding inside his church. Once he wakes up to this, he is risks his own life in order to stand up for what’s right, and encourages Terry to do the same. Now that I’m writing this, I’m afraid the plot sounds cliché. I promise you, this movie is far from it.

Beyond that, realism is slowly starting to set in for film actors during this time, which makes for very moving yet subtle performances from the entire cast. I have to really hand it to Eva Marie Saint; she carried herself so well opposite Marlon Brando that there were times when I thought the movie was about her. This movie went on to in eight academy awards, including best picture, and it deserved every one of them. 

Favorite moment: Father Barry’s speech to the workers in the boat. So moving. So Christ-like."Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up!" "Boys, this is my church! And if you don't think Christ is down here on the waterfront you've got another guess coming!"

Will I watch it again: Yes, and with whoever wants to watch it with me!