Review of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) by Hamza S — 07 May 2010

A Streetcar Named Desire upon release was an extremely controversial film. Dealing with student-teacher relationships, homosexual suicide and rape. Of couse considering the 1951 release year, none of that can actually be seen on screen instead it's merely insinuates, however that's where the brilliance of Director Elia Kazan and the cast of Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden comes into it. Even though the viewer doesn't witness the tragedies, the actors put enough emotion into their perfomances that the viewer can still feel their pain.

What makes A Streetcar Named Desire such a powerful film is that at almost 60 years after it's release, it's subject is still controversial and it gives this film a timeless feel. Also the perfomances By Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando are stunning, Viewers sympathise with Blanche DuBois' post-rape mental breakdown and are repulsed by Stanley Kowalski's aggression and lack of compassion. Which is a credit to both of these legendary actors and the film itself. Simply a must see.