Review of On the Waterfront (1954) by Scott S — 29 Jul 2009

Very good film, anchored by incredible performances by marlon brando, eva saint marie, and karl malden. the ending is a tad cheesy and melodramatic. the film doesn't really seem to offer much moral subtlety in its depiction of unions nor the role of simple people speaking to police.

I would have liked the movie to make a distinction between whistleblowing and ratting out, as it would have clarified elia kazan's actions during the huac hearings. as it stands, the film is too squarely anti-union, pro-police, pro-church, pro-authority (in general) for my political tastes.

that all said, brando's portrayal of a not-so-intelligent guy with a good heart is riveting and alive. thank god for method actors like brando and saint marie- who brought emotional realism. the same can't be said for bernstein's over-the-top, buttery score, which is good in its own antiquated style that the film doesn't wholly conform to.

in other words, on the waterfront is caught between two styles: simple, effective naturalism and melodrama. each is valid in its own right but there's some dissonance there. nevertheless, on the waterfront is an engaging, multi-layered drama that is satisfyingly character-driven as well as propelled by an intriguing suspenseful plot.