On the Waterfront

I watched 'On the Waterfront' yesterday. The DVD has been in the cupboard for a year or two and I keep thinking, 'I must watch it.' Yesterday I did.

The script is superb. I'd forgotten what an iconic speech Marlon Brando (Terry Molloy's) 'I coulda been a contender' speech is. How many excellent actors are present. Karl Marlden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger and Eva Marie Saint is completely believable. They all are. And there's no strong make-up, no perfect hair or special effects. Just a brilliant script, creatively shot and directed and believeably acted. The world rings true and you can see it true in places today. Should be on the curriculum.

The scene where Molloy tells the Eva Marie Saint characater Edie Doyle what he has done is fantastic. We know what he has to tell her. It has been reiterated several times. We know it will be devastating. And when it comes to it, we don't hear a word of what he says. We see close ups of her face. His face talking but drowned out by the horns of the docks. It's not cheesey at all. It is perfectly exectuted.
A similar technique is used in La Vie on Rose, the story of Edith Piaf. We hear her singing throughout and then when it gets to the stage performance that makes her, we don't hear her sing. We see her singing but don't hear it. Perfect. The moment is all the stronger because it is not what we expect and we already have the knowledge that is being shown in the scene.

And Molloy with Doyle's glove.
And shots of the crowd of men on the docks.
And the realism.
And knowing how easy it is to get sidetracked and the lack of hope. But wanting hope.

Oh and the soundtrack is by Leonard Bernstein.

Watch it!!!