Review of On the Waterfront (1954) by Leighton T — 24 Jan 2010

A fine character-study of a film. The film is timeless because it's about the common man and the common man's adversity which is mirrored fictionally in Terry Malloy's struggles against his union (not to mention, it is metaphorically Kazan's response to his handing over names during Senator McCarthy's hearings).

Every single scene is beautiful (fantastic b&w cinematography). Hardly an ounce of the film feels out of place or misused. Brando creates a character out of nothing. What could've been an over-used, one-dimensional character is transformed into the everyman.

He represents all of us: the down-and-out, the one that had the chance, the one that can still make something of himself and Brando invokes on us the need to root for him with a perfectly-balanced and gritty performance.

Eva Marie Saint is terrific in her first role and Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, and especially Karl Malden are all terrific supporting cast members. As well, Elmer Bernstein's music caters to the film.

It is ready to explode at any moment, just like the film, and does bombastically so at certain moments.Two specific scenes stand out: the scene where Terry confesses to Edie that he had her brother set up.

The scene's dialogue is overshadowed by the noise of the dock. It's not important what he's saying, or what she's saying in response, we know in general how the scene will play out. That the loud noises are overshadowing is simply brilliant; it conveys how much of an emotional scene it is, but also allowing for the reality of the shipyard town to be inserted in the film.

Even the music is overshadowed by these sounds. It is such a marvelously inspired scene!The other scene is, of course, the notorious "Contender" scene. It's just two great actors in a perfect tete-a-tete.

So much is conveyed verbally and visually in this scene, it's no wonder it's become the landmark scene it has. It seems, really, the crux of the film, everything the film stands on, and also what sets up the climax and conclusion.

At the end of the day, you can look for flaws in the film, and there really doesn't feel like there is one. It's almost perfect in a quiet way. A fine American film which deserves the recognition it's gotten.