Rent On the Waterfront (1954)

A 100% classic - On the Waterfront review by PT

" I could have been a contender, I could have had class, I could have been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am let's face it". The above is part of, arguably, the greatest monologue ever spoken in a film. This film has it all, brilliant script, direction and amazing performances from all the protagonists. Terry Malloy (Brando) battles with his conscious to do the right thing. The only trouble is the right thing in question means ratting on the father like figure of Johnny Friendly (Lee J Cob). Under pressure from the mob on one side, and his girl Edie Doyle and priest Father Barry on the other, the film basically charts Malloy's internal/external mental battle, brilliantly shown by Malloy's jorney. This film is the ultimate classic.

Political Polemic (spoilers). - On the Waterfront review by Steve

Hollywood social realism which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards; and won eight, including best picture and director. But this landmark polemic on the corruption of New Jersey dockworker unions by criminal gangs no longer works. Bud Schulberg's celebrated script now feels sanctimonious, naive and verbose. In particular, Karl Malden's crusading priest dates it badly.

His long sermon at a murder scene is insufferable. The uninspired uplift of the ending may have been enforced by the Production Code, nevertheless, there it is. This isn't neorealism because of the big studio stars, admittedly deglamorised. Marlon Brando is the ex-boxer whose crisis of conscience brings the crooked system down.

The legendary performances are uneven, though Brando's Oscar is well deserved. His talent survives the period defining effect of the Method. But Malden is stiffed with his dud role and Eva Marie Saint is melodramatic as the suffering love interest. It is skilfully directed by Elia Kazan in well chosen locations with realistic costumes and set design. Leonard Bernstein's jazz score feels just right.

And maybe it's reasonable to indulge aspects of a film released in the middle of the last century. But this is difficult because the whole bundle was made to justify Kazan and Schulberg, who sold out their colleagues to HUAC. Which is hard to endure. They are the victims and the heroes of this story. The hubris is off the scale. This title is weighted by a huge asterisk.

Ahead Of It's Time - A True Film Classic - On the Waterfront review by GI

This remains one of the finest of American motion pictures notable for introducing Marlon Brando's genius to the screen. He plays Terry Malloy, a low level dock worker who once had a chance at a major boxing title but being under the control of corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) cost him his chance. When Terry inadvertently lets Friendly's thugs find and murder Joey, an informer, Terry's conscience is awakened. When he begins to fall for Joey's sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint) and his brother Charlie (Rod Steiger) is also murdered and influenced by a local priest (Karl Malden) Terry agrees to testify against Friendly at risk to his own life. This is ahead of its time for a Hollywood film, a story of corruption and social injustice and a crime/social drama that it's difficult to top. A gritty realistic portrayal of organised crime, the ineffectiveness of the justice system and the story of the small man rapped behind a culture of violence and suppression. A key American film and a must see. All the performances are topnotch and the film won 8 Oscars including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.