On the Waterfront

When looking back at older films, it's sometimes easy to overlook what some special at the time of their release as we take what were accomplishments at the time for granted. Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront from 1954 is one such classic that broke away from the norm of those squeaky clean Hollywood films from that era with its use of method acting and exploring the gritty life on the docks of New Jersey which were highly involved with corrupt union bosses. Starring a young Marlon Brando in the leading role, his performance would see the film pick up one of its eight Oscars and is one I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. How has this classic aged? 

Brando works as a longshoreman in a down-trodden Hoboken that overlooks the Empire State Building in New York City just across the Hudson River. Life is hard and every worker arrives to the docks each day not knowing if they'll get paid in thanks to their corrupt boss Johnny (Lee J. Cobb) and when one of the workers tries to go to the law, he's murdered and Brando's Terry inadvertently becomes an accomplice. Terry then becomes involved with his former co-worker's sister (Eva Marie Saint) and tries to see if he can stand-up to the union. 

On the Waterfront is nothing short of atmospheric and Kazan's direction brings a now bygone era to life in a way that is truly engaging. His combined use of actors and real-life longshoreman give the film the realism it needs to capture the bleak existence of its characters and I can safely say this film never dragged for one moment. Brando gives a truly great performance that deserves all the recognition he still receives to this day as the story rests on his shoulders. 

However, I'll admit the ending was disappointing which feels like blasphemy to put in writing. I keep finding instances where a film is carefully adapted from a book but the filmmakers decide to change the something in the final act and here is no exception. If the filmmakers went with the original idea, I believe this would have been a lot more powerful and memorable. The story almost gears towards this conclusion but instead we get something that just doesn't satisfy.

Putting those criticisms aside, On the Waterfront is a masterclass in acting from not only Brando but also Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint. I can't see myself ever feeling the need to revisit this but I would say the film is well worth watching for anyone interested thanks to an engaging story and, of course, Mr. Brando himself.