One of the best films to come out of the 50s, Elia Kazen's working-class masterpiece is an essential watch for anyone who loves movies. This is thanks to terrific performances across the board led by the great Marlon Brando at possibly his best.
The film depicts union corruption on a local dock led by crime boss Johny Friendly. Forner boxer and longshoreman Terry Malloy is told by Friedly to lure fellow dockworker Joey Doyle on a roof is killed to prevent him from testifying. A shocked Terry under the impression that they wouldn't kill him is then confronted by priest Father Perry and the sister of Doyle Edie. Terry then wrestles between testifying against Friendly or staying "Deaf and Dumb" like everyone else.
Director Elia Kazan films have frequently analyzed parts of America that are too often ignored by Hollywood. From Gentleman's Agreement to A Streetcar Named Desire, many of his films deal with various social issues, and "On The Waterfront" is no exception. Budd Schulberg's script showcases a blue-color story of corrupt union activity and injustice. This script was not without its rewrites and critics, With Producer Darryl F. Zanuck saying "Who is going to care about a bunch of sweaty Longshoremen". It's this honest take of the working-class majority of America that makes it work so well. Cinematographer Boris Kaufman brings this working-class world to life in a way that is both beautiful and haunting thanks to the brilliant lighting. Leonard Bernstein's score is equally effective being both heart bounding and somber.
The best part of the film is Marlon Brando as Terry Maloy. Brando's performance alone is worth several re-watches as there are so many lawyers to this character that only Brando can bring out. Behind Terry's macho persona lays conflict. We see this side in particular with his interactions with Edie Doyle thanks to some great chemistry between Marlon Brando and Eva Maria Saint. There exists an inner turmoil within Terry regarding his past and his tightrope walk between exposing the corruption on the docks and staying true to people he has known for years, especially his brother Charlie. We learn that Terry was once a talented prizefighter whose career was cut short when Johny Friendly and Charlie ordered him to take a dive for a payoff. That frustration finally comes out in the film's most powerful scene between Terry and Charlie in the car, "You Don't Understand I coulda had class, I coulda been a contender, I coulda been somebody". It's a beautiful and heartbreaking scene that provokes an emotional response for me every time.
The rest of the ensemble is great as well, with all of the central performances being nominated at the Academy Awards that year. Eva Maria Saint shines as the grief-stricken sister of the murdered Joey Doyle seeking justice for her brother's death. Kazan regular Karl Malden as the hardened priest Father Pete Berry is another addition to the underrated character actor's line of work. Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiger round out the cast with Cobb giving his usual hard-boiled and pushy persona, and Steiger standing out in his final moments in the film with Brando.
On The Waterfront is a cinematic gem that despite its reputation, doesn't seem to be as widely seen as some other classics such as Citizen Kane or Casablanca. So if you haven't seen this film check it out, for the love of film!
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