 |
|
|
|
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
 email this review to a friend
Movie Review by Dekker
October 20th, 2008
|  |
I ALWAYS DEPEND ON THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
Favorite Movie Quote: "Yeah! It was a lousy, flea-bag hotel called The Tarantula Arms....I brought all my victims there!!"
Now, this is one power-house of a film. Any attempts at a re-make of this one is only considered muck thrown straight into the face of this all-time classic. Not many flicks, in my opinion, deserve the ultimate 5 Star Rating, but A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (ASND) is one of those rare exceptions that's worthy of this top ranking honor, without arguement.....Well, ok, you can argue about it. But it won't be with me....Ha!
ASND is an incredibly powerful and, often, disturbing drama the deals, quite frankly, with subject matter such as brutality, madness, and, yes, carnal lust. The performances of the entire cast are all absolutely, undeniably first-rate. There are, of course, 2 actors in ASND who stand out tall, above all the rest. These 2 notables are : VIVIEN LEIGH, as Blanche DuBois, and MARLON BRANDO, as Stanley Kowalski.
When it comes to that old, familiar term which actors often use about 'getting into character', it's plainly obvious that both LEIGH and BRANDO must've completely immersed themselves into their character portrayals, judging by the depth of their performances. Considering the wide emotional range that both these roles demanded of these 2 actors, I'd say, that at times, it must have been an absolutely draining experience for both LEIGH and BRANDO.
This 1951 movie production of ASND was based on the highly successful stage-play of the same name, which was penned by the Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright TENNESSEE WILLIAMS. It was directed by virtuoso director ELIA KAZAN, who has also directed other such memorable flicks as - EAST OF EDEN and BABY DOLL. ASND was beautifully filmed in glossy black and white.
ASND is set at the height of a sweltering, summer, heat-wave in steamy, old New Orleans. This is, decidedly, New Orleans on the low-end side of town. Yeah, this is a neighborhood that's definitely on the wrong side of the tracks.
VIVIEN LEIGH is once again playing the dainty (?) southern belle. But this time she ain't putting on no Scarlett O'Hara bonnet for this role. That's for sure. Blanche DuBois is a woman whose youth has run out long ago and her good-looks are fading fast. Blanche is a sexually-disturbed woman who lives in a shadowed world of make-believe and illusion. Her world of fantasy quickly begins to crumble around her and her sanity becomes unquestionably challenged shortly after she moves in with her sister, Stella, and her brute of a brother-in-law, Stanley.
Once Blanche has stationed herself in her sister's crowded flat it doesn't take long for Stanley to begin to detest her with an absolute passion. Not being one who ever beats around the bush, Stanley receives great personal satisfaction from tormenting Blanche. And he doesn't think twice about throwing a fit of rage once in a while, either. Or, even, slugging his own wife, Stella, with his big, powerful fists when she 'steps out of line' to protect her sister from his wrath.
Eventually, the personal tension between Stanley and Blanche becomes so unbearable that you know something has got to snap pretty soon. And that breaking point turns out to be the inevitable snapping of Blanche's fragile sanity. Blanche not only loses her complete grip on reality, but her own sense of dignity is ultimately shattered, too.
And, so, that beastly bully, Stanley, finally succeeds in reducing his irksome sister-in-law (this lost and lonely woman) into nothing but a pathetic, old crazy.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is a superbly crafted drama. It is high-quality entertainment, all around. Check it out.
email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to reviews.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
