Review of On the Waterfront (1954) by Bella M — 18 Jan 2009

From the very beginning Elia Kazan's masterpiece "On the Waterfront" sweeps up viewers, asking the timeless question â??Do I tell the truth and suffer the consequences? Or keep quiet and stay out of trouble?â?? and doesn't let go until the end. The film is pitch perfect, swift, and brutally earnest. The camera literally acting as a fly on the wall and in no time you forget they are even watching a film, it seems so real and natural as if the characters are %100 real. Without a doubt this one of young Marlon Brandoâ??s best roles along with â??A Streetcar named Desireâ?? but itâ??s not just Marlonâ??s movie. It feels like the who cast coalesce avoiding the obvious that wouldâ??ve lead to over-dramatics.

For those who know, â??On The Waterfrontâ?? was Elia Kazanâ??s famous justification to his testimony before the HUAC and while I personally donâ??t agree with what he did that doesnâ??t dampen the message. You still cheer Terry on even though his situation looks hopeless. The perfect â??film of the underdogâ??.