I Coulda Had Class...

On the Waterfront

What I have noticed going back over my writings from the last year and a half is that I have yet to encounter a gangster/mafia film. The glorification of organized crime in Hollywood has captured our attention for almost a century. Of course some of the greatest films have had a mafia "tie", like The Godfather and Goodfellas. Those movies gave audiences an inside look on what it meant to be a part of the "family". Sometimes I have often pondered about the people that provide the mafia with their wealth, which is until I watched #19 on AFI’s Top 100. On the Waterfront showcases my wonders and gives the world, arguably, Marlon Brando's best performance of his career.

Terry Malloy (Brando) is an ex-boxer turned dockworker that has an in with the local mob. Malloy starts to question his loyalty when his friend, Joey, is murdered. It seems that Joey was murdered because he found the courage to speak up against the mob and their harsh tactics on the dock workers. Malloy starts to become even more conflicted when Joey's sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint North By Northwest), begins to inquire about Joey's death and telling Malloy that treatment around the docks isn't right. Malloy must figure out if he should keep his mouth shut and not destroy all he knows or stand up and fight for his fellow workers.

I am really surprised on how ahead of its time On the Waterfront was. This film tackles serious issues that were gripping the United States during the 40s and 50s. Mob rule and the unions was not something Hollywood really made movies about, but this film gives voice to a lot of workers during this time. I loved the grittiness of the film and how it depicts the blue collar workers of New Jersey. I am also very surprised that this film is not higher on AFI's list

When most people think of Marlon Brando, they refer to The Godfather. I agree that Brando’s performance as Vito Corleone was awe-inspiring, but Brando was much better as Terry Malloy. Brando in Godfather gave off a sense of power and yet a hint of kindness. Malloy is a dim-witted ex-boxer that tries very hard to push out anyone because Malloy is out for himself. That is until he starts to really understand what is happening around him. Brando subtly changes his nonchalant attitude into a purposeful drive to do right. Eva Marie Saint is also excellent in her first big screen role. Saint's Edie is a strong-willed woman that is going to find justice for her brother. Saint stands tall in her first role and shows a lot of maturity while understanding the importance of the character.

Director Elia Kazan creates another classic tale with On the Waterfront. Kazan is also known for his work on A Streetcar Named Desire, also starring Brando. With Waterfront, Kazan is able to use the shadows and lighting to also define the morals of each character. Edie is a woman learning at the church so her morals are high, so Kazan places her in a lot of light. This opposite goes for Malloy, however changes during the film as Malloy realizes what he must do. Kazan, in a way, incorporates the cold as well, which shows the conditions at the docks. I noticed that the mob associated men seemed to be warm and in heavy coats. Though the dock workers looked cold and shivering, you could also see the workers breath in the cold. Kazan shows the separation between the two groups wonderfully

This film is great for modern audiences as well as audiences in the 50s. The films message of standing up for your fellow man and putting a stop to what is wrong is a timeless tale not matter if the film is in color or black and white. Due to this, I am shocked that this film isn't higher on the List. Taking out Kazan's direction and Brando's performance, Waterfront speaks volumes for the time that it was made. Not many films portrayed the mob or unions as a bad thing, even though the corruption was running rampant through the cities. If you enjoy films like The Insider or even Norma Rae, then you will definitely enjoy On the Waterfront. However, above all I suggest this film for newbies to the work of Marlon Brando. One of the greatest to grace the silver screen, Brando's work in On the Waterfront is a must to see.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time. Should have been in top 10 of this List.