Review of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) by Kris V — 23 Jul 2010

There are indeed a couple of reasons why I don't want to watch so-called "Classic" Hollywood movies (in my eyes just a synonym for "old"). One of those reason is called "A Streetcar Named Desire". Everything in this movie is what I consider old. If you don't know what I mean, just watch the film: It's Black and White, it features very retro language (I can't imagine someone really talking this way nowadays), it has old fashioned cinematography, clichéd lighting, boring direction and a couple of very "classic" performances. The only thing that saved it from getting a "negative" rating from me is definitely Brando's performance. Although I've seen better stuff from him (Godfather, Julius Caesar), this role here is also very well played. It's both entertaining and creepy at the same time. If he only had more screentime...

On the contrary, I find that Vivien Leigh as the lead role had way too much time on screen. Her face and her voice all were annoying. With every step she makes you see she's an actress. She showed no realism or spontaneity at all. Just like the whole movie: it all looked very staged.

But for the impact it made on Hollywood (for whatever reason) and for Brando's performance, I give it 17 points out of 30. Good film, but not good enough for me.