So, I'm going to start this blog by saying something that they tell you in the English department never to say... I liked this movie. Why am I not allowed to say that? Because I'm supposed to say something more... But that is honestly how I feel about this movie.
The basic plot: Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) is a washed-up boxer that has gotten mixed up with the mob. We first meet him when he is setting up a man, Joey, to be murdered, although Terry thinks they're just going to "lean on him a little," and when he sees Joey dead, it is obvious that he feels bad. During all of the commotion over Joey, Terry runs into Joey's sister, Edie, a girl he knew from grade school. A romance sparks between them as she tries to get to the bottom of who murdered her brother. In the mean time, Father Barry, the priest at the local church, has taken it upon himself to gather the union workers that work on the waterfront to take back the work from the mob so that everyone can work instead of just the people that the mob bosses choose. None of the workers seem all that anxious to rise up against the mob because they don't want to end up like Joey. When the police come around asking questions, no one wants to say anything. However, when Terry's brother, Charley, is murdered by the mob bosses that Terry thought he could trust, he decides to testify against them in court. Because of that, everyone that Terry is close to, with the exception of Edie and Father Barry, turn away from Terry. He is no longer picked to work on the waterfront, and so he is forced to physically fight for his right to work on the waterfront.
What I find interesting is how much I liked the love story between Terry and Edie. She really seemed to soften him, and made him the likable character he was. When she asks him what side he is on (as far as bosses vs. workers) he says he's not on a side, "I'm just me." And the thing is that he really does stick to that. Sometimes he is on the mob's side, but there are times when he really does the right thing and fights against the evil in that town. Sometimes he plays the tough guy and other times he is guiding her gently through a crowd and making sure she gets home safe. She is "the nicest thing that's ever happened to" him, and he certainly does acknowledge it.
I found it funny how they kept saying "on the waterfront." Usually the title is just said once in this movie, but they all worked on the waterfront, so I guess they had to keep saying it.
I really liked Terry's interaction with his brother, Charley. When they are in the car together, and Terry is talking about how it was Charley that came down and told Terry to throw his last boxing match because the bosses were betting against him, it's just so moving. And then when Terry find's Charley's body hanging in the alley and he tells Edie not to leave him alone for too long and he's crying, it really shows the depth of the character. You really feel sorry for him.
It was absolutely gut wrenching when Terry comes home to find all of his pigeons dead. I was so angry at that kid for killing all of them. And then you see his big hulking man pick up these small, innocent, lifeless birds and it just breaks your heart.
I really liked the dialogue in this movie. I definitely think that the "I coulda been a contenda" quote deserved its rank on the AFI's top 100 quotes list. Like I said before, that scene is just amazing. It really drove the character home for me. Also, in the bar, when Terry has the gun that Charley gave him and he wants to kill Johnny Friendly, and then Father Berry comes in and says... well the quote in the title, that is one of my favorites. Finally, when Johnny has to swear "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" and he says "right." oh man. Marlon Brando played that part so well. Being the tough guy that's trying to do the right thing. Perfect. Although I'm sure he was probably somewhat like that in real life, tough exterior but soft exterior. Made him perfect for that character.
The only thing I had a hard time with was why all of the union workers turned against Terry after he testified in court. I didn't understand why they would all be mad at him. They all still got to work, he was the only one that was shut out. Still they did end up coming through for him in the end and backing him up, saying that they wouldn't work if Terry didn't work. I just really felt like those men needed to man up a little bit. All of those union workers wanted someone else to do their dirty work for them, and only were willing to stand up once it was safe.
I give this movie a 4.101 out of 5. It was really good, and I enjoyed it. All of these old movies with their fresh ideas (fresh compared to all of the run of the mill movies I've watched for the majority of my life) are really awesome to watch. They are smart, and they expect for their audience to be smart too. I'm not saying that there aren't good movies that come out these days, and I'm not saying this movie is perfect. I did feel like it lulled at some moments, but over all it was a fantastic watch.
I'm not sure what I will watch tonight. I guess you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out. It is pretty much up to Netflix and whatever they have on instant. I hope you are enjoying reading as much as I am watching and writing.
Love to all of my readers, whoever you are.
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