This movie has one of my favourite quotes of all time, even though I had never watched it. And here is the quote: "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." (And incidentally this was voted #3 on AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes.) And also my new favourite quote: "What do I get? A one-way ticket to Palookaville."
The score of the movie is by Leonard Bernstein, who also scored 'West Side Story'. Because I had seen that movie just last week, it was top of mind for me. I expected to see the longshoremen burst into a jazzy dance number a la the Sharks and Jets. But, no jazz hands ensued.
The first half of the movie was alright, but the last half was really good. I think the 'problem' with this movie is the 'story' has been told over and over again since it was released. (Underdog guy stands up to the bad guys.) What makes this movie so great is the acting. Marlon Brando won an Oscar for his role. And I can see why. On one level he says the words, but there is this whole other level of gestures and actions that 'make' the character of Terry Malloy. And in the famous 'contender' scene, which is a simple scene of two brothers in the back seat of a car, it becomes very tender and heart-wrenching by his acting. (In my humble opinion.)
In reading up about this movie, there is a whole other side to it. It has to do with communism, and Elia Kazan and the whole House on un-American activities thing. My response: whatever. I watched the movie as a movie and not as a political statement.
One word to describe 'On the Waterfront': Contender.
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