On the Waterfront

My first film teacher would say a good film had three really great scenes and no bad ones. I believe that this adage applies to On the Waterfront, which was my birthday movie this year. It won eight Oscars in 1955, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Marlon Brando.

I've only seen Brando as Don Corleone in The Godfather, so I was unfamiliar with how mesmerizing and handsome he was when he was younger. He's perfect as Terry Malloy, a former boxer turned "henchman" for a union boss. He does it because there's no reason not to. His realization throughout the film that these people don't care about him and that he can do more with his life is fantastic.

I especially love Terry's caring for the pigeons. It adds such an interesting layer to his character. He's gentle with them, even though he was a boxer. He takes care of them as a true nurturer, in direct contract to the few people in his life who care for him. 

I don't particularly care for the character of Edie in this film. In her first scene, I liked her response to her brother being killed and thought she would be strong female character. Unfortunately, she turns out to be "typical" and I found her to sort of annoying. Also, the music at times can be a bit much, trying to convey too much emotion or suspense.

Those are minor quibbles, though, in a film that is truly outstanding.


Great scene 1: Terry and Edie are walking along the waterfront. Edie drops a glove and Terry picks it up and plays with it, eventually putting it on his own hand. When Edie goes to leave, I love how she just pulls it off his hand.  Apparently this was improvised by Brando in rehearsals and director Kazan liked it so much he added it. Check out the scene here.

Great scene 2: Terry and his brother in the back of the car. They've both been presented with the choice to betray the other. Terry chose not to, but his brother, sadly, did not. It's heartbreaking and suspenseful and fantastic in every way. This is the famous "I coulda been a contender" speech, and Brando delivers it powerfully. Check out the scene here.

Great scene 3: Terry confronts Johnny Friendly on the docks. What I like about the film is the subtle touches in costumes. Terry wears a checkered jacket through most of the film; it's old and has holes in it. But when he has his big confrontation with Friendly, he has monotone jacket, as if he's grown up. Check out the scene here.