RANT FOR BRANDO KAZAN THREE: ON THE WATERFRONT

Marlon Brando turns in a performance of a lifetime, and many other lifetimes, in ON THE WATERFRONT

Popular cinematic line about not being able to take it anymore and being mad as hell and all that business, but it'll be a cold day in that very same hell before another film is viewed on the big screen of the classic Golden or Silver Age nature when hosted by Robert Osbourne's Bat Faced TCM replacement, who told the audience tonight that it's up to us, we the audience, we the people, to decide whether or not so-and-so is a good movie, or not, after all we've heard during his preamble that, having to do with behind-the-scene elements of an incredible film harboring one of the greatest performances to date, one that the likes of Millennial favorites Leo and Johnny D., and many others, aspire to be... And whose attempt to equal this man's talent, frozen in time and history, is very unlikely...

Marlon Brando near the finale location in ON THE WATERFRONT

It's one thing to offer up an explanation of a controversial subject during the 1950's, an era that Hollywood just can't shed some decent light on despite one of their own calling those who existed there, "The Greatest Generation," but hey, Bat Face Ben Mankiewicz with Hollywood blood-line connection, there are a few reasons to make the decision to love ON THE WATERFRONT, including the direction in which Marlon Brando turns to face Martin Balsam, the opposite way of what would make sense but winds up looking more realistic and subtle and splendid; and the way Marlon never looks any single person in the eye for too long, like... real life. If people did what actors did in old movies today, staring at each other with their peepers piercing wildly like possessed banshees, we'd all run to the hills, quickly... Marlon brought an entire generation of performers down to Earth, and it wasn't until the 1970's that it all caught up, became commonplace, and THE GODFATHER is an important film in that Brando plays father to sons of his own style of natural method acting...

"Did they have to kill ALL of them?"

But back to the subject of WATERFRONT, the first film where Marlon is in full form, not a co-star like STREETCAR but paving his own way; as tough as he's vulnerable; as rugged as he's soft-hearted; as innocent as he's caught in-between; as weak as he's strong... Gez, this is becoming a Sunday School song...

Brando in Flannel

Anyhow, it would be nice for all those Old Movie fans and so-called film historians to lighten up just a bit. Realize how many other truly awful things were going on at that time instead of being centered on one situation that is told in only half-truths to begin with, and do yourselves a favor, kids, and see what made your handsome young heroes of today and tomorrow shine on the big screen by streaming ON THE WATERFRONT on the small screen; without commentary; without apologies; without having to make a decision whether to like it or not because of something that had nothing to do with how the film itself turned out... a bonafide classic, with or without manipulation or goading. For this reviewer is getting damn sick and tired of all the bitching and moaning about an era they weren't even part of. Yes, you have the right to say what you want, and God knows you do, every chance you've got, and after we have to pay for it, too... And yet, a few muted others have the right to disagree with the likes of all of them, and especially YOU!

RATING: *****
BRANDO/KAZAN ONE: VIVA ZAPATA!