Review of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) by Ross B — 14 Jan 2012

Elia Kazan's film adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play is a true American classic. Vivien Leigh stars as Blanche Dubois, a southern bell who goes to see her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in New Orleans.

Stella is married to Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando), a boorish and savage man who is a former mechanic in the army. Stanley and Blanche don't get along from the start but there is an underlying sexual tension.

Blanche though seems to be running away from something back in Mississippi and using a new found romance with Mitch (Karl Malden), one of Stanley's friends. What follows is Blanche's rapid dissent into madness and a delusional world of her own creation.

Brando gives one of his best performances of his very illustrious career. Brando embodies Stanley with the raw savagery and sexual energy that commands the screen every moment he is on it. He runs the gambit of emotions throughout the picture, from rage to absolute heartbreak.

This role is up there with Terry Malloy and Vito Corleone as Brando's finest roles. Vivien Leigh is also absolutely amazing as Blanche. She is able to play a woman whose facade is that of an upscale southern bell but who is crumbling psychologically on the inside.

Leigh plays Blanche's fall from grace perfectly even up to the hollow, glazed over look in the end of the film. A true classic of American cinema and a must see for all movie goers.