Review of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) by Tija F — 24 Jul 2009

A masterpiece of fine acting and a brilliant script. Vivien Leigh's performance was magnificent and well deserving of her Academy Award. Her most famous role is most definitely that of Scarlett O'Hara, but I would argue that her performance here is greater.

And what more can be said about Marlon Brando's game-changing performance that hasn't already been said? His character Stanley is deplorable but yet you can't look away from him either. Brando is electric on screen.

His Stanley is raw, real, and carnal. Sexy doesn't begin to describe him. Kim Hunter and Karl Malden round out the main cast with excellent performances from both. Director Elia Kazan is to be commended for doing such a fine job with his actors and for the feeling of tension, heat, and seediness that pervades throughout the film.

And one can't go without mentioning Tennessee William's rich screenplay, which he adapted from his Pulitzer Prize winning play. This one really got under my skin and I won't soon forget the experience.