Review of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) by Harry W — 18 Mar 2014

A Streetcar Named Desire is a touching film.

It's not hard to see why it is considered a classic, because its material is very original. A Streetcar Named Desire is an exploration of many characters in the context of Mississippi in the mid 1900's which doesn't hold back the dark and dramatic nature of Tennessee Williams' play as it respects its viewers enough to confront them with it, and this is partially thanks to Tennessee Williams himself who teamed up with Oscar Saul to adapt it to the screen with his intended visuon.

The style of A Streetcar Named Desire follows a style close to the stage version so it maintains the original dramatic heart of the theatre production that the film was based on. Even though its story is rather thin and rests most importantly on the characters, it is still a source of serious entertainment because of the gritty nature of the themes that it covers.

Director Elia Kazan reveals what his strongest nature as a film director is all about in A Streetcar Named Desire, because in his wisdom as the film director who brought the Tennessee Williams' classic play into cinema, he maintains a grip over the entire play and a sense of knowledge which reveals where all the importance of it lies, making it a memorable dramatic feature as well as a good visual experience.

A Streetcar Named Desire reminds us of the dark nature of humanity and the violent underside of married life without going melodramatic, and it stays within it's the appropriate territory. It's a dark film, but not too dark, and it is unpredictable and has no way to reassure viewers that things will be ok because that is how life naturally is, so A Streetcar Named Desire succeeds as a realistic depiction of the life viewers lived in when it was originally released.

A Streetcar Named Desire is easy too feel for, because it is an atmospheric film thanks to the dedication of the actors and the musical score which is beautifully composed and reaches for the heartstrings of its viewers well enough to tug them from time to time. The film is very convincing thanks to its production design and scenery as well as its beautiful cinematography which captures every visual inch of the film very well. A Streetcar Named Desire is a gritty film, but thanks to all its storytelling features and emotional atmosphere it is easy and pleasant to watch, as well as sufficiently entertaining over the course of its two hour running time.

The characters in A Streetcar Named Desire are the main source of interest because they are all very complicated, and the drama all grows from what is rooted inside them by the cast that A Streetcar Named Desire has to boast.

Vivien Leigh's performance is a beautiful effort on behalf of her. In what is arguably her greatest performance since her first Academy Award winning performance in Gone with the Wind, Vivien Leigh takes on the role of Blanche Dubois, a fading southern belle with a lot of beauty left in her. And in the role, Vivien Leigh proves that not an inch of her talent has faded in her many years as an actress and that she is still as beautiful as ever. Her dedication to character in A Streetcar Named Desire is unflinchingly excellent and it is difficult for viewers not to feel sympathy for her. Her character is a very lovable one and it is hard to see her suffer so much because Vivien Leigh makes her out to be the wonderful woman that she is, caught up in a world that is complicated and merciless.

Marlon Brando's performance in A Streetcar Named Desire is unforgettable. Although the only films I have seen him in so far are The Godfather and his post-1972 films, he proves that his talent was no lesser in his youth than it was in his later career in A Streetcar Named Desire. In the iconic character Stanley Kowalski he shows off his youthful ferocity and dedication in a performance which is arguably one of his best. He completely embodies the role of Stanley Kowalski with a fiery passion which shows just how strong Marlon Brando's desire to act burns within him. A Streetcar Named Desire is unforgettable because of acting legend Marlon Brando, and his interaction with the universe the film is set in and the surrounding cast makes it all too convincing. He is excellent in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Kim Hunter gives an arguably career best performance in A Streetcar Named Desire, because in the role of Stella Kowalski she has to play the character who experiences the most direct contact with both Blanche and Stanley. Yet she grips the drama with her tenacious talent and gives a performance almost as effective as Vivien Leigh's. Her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire grabs all of the emotional dramatics that Stella Kowalski faces and then runs with it, giving a performance where she holds nothing back and shows off just what her talents as an actress are all about. Her chemistry with the surrounding cast is excellent as well, so really it is easy to say that Kim Hunter gives a performance that succeeds in every area that she reaches for.

Karl Maden's performance also makes him a powerful addition to the cast. The actor who later worked later with both actor Marlon Brando and director Elia Kazan on the Best Picture winning film On The Waterfront exhibits a lot of his greatest talents in A Streetcar Named Desire, enough to win him an Academy Award. While his performance isn't as notably effective as the other 3 lead actors, Karl Maden gives a strong supporting effort to A Streetcar Named Desire which leaves the cast bereft of any failure whatsoever.

So A Streetcar Named Desire is clearly a classic, a great film adaptation of a famous Tennessee Williams play. And without flinching it dives into the dramatic nature of its story and pulls it right out to the screen, bringing an excellent cast with it and making it an achievement in storytelling.