On the Waterfront
Another one of those that I've seen countless times since I was a kid and always enjoyed it.
From Malden's gruff priest to Steiger in a more timid role than the ones that I've come to be used to, but still great as Charlie and Lee Cobb making for a violent, short-tempered gangster that rules the dock to Brando being, well, Brando. Echoing the troubled spirit that he previously done in Streetcar Named Desire.
I think the only person I have been so-so on has been Eva Maria Saint. Understandably, her character as just come out of Convent School where she's taught that there is Justice and Truth and Goodness and comes home to the docks to its corrupt and dangerous day to day. Starting with the murder of her brother. So, the fact that she spends most of the movie in a frantic, nearly hysterical mindset is, as I stated, understandable. It's just that there is something about her that has always ran lukewarm for me. And I don't understand how she won an award for it either.
But she is my one and ONLY objection to this film.
The rest is spot on. From the other dock workers, the portrayal of what it takes to get to be allowed to work and the corruption that bullies them into remaining "D and D" (Deaf and Dumb) when such things as the opening murder of a young man who was going to testify against the mob that owns and runs the dock occur. There is an authenticity to the film and to the story as it plays out with some great characters. Especially as we get a close up ride along with Brando's Terry's inner turmoil and eventual decision to stand up and testify.
Along with the iconic ride in the back of the cab with his brother Charlie, I have always loved the ending to this movie.
Him going down to the docks after he testifies to truly show himself standing up to the mob. With a real fist fight that includes Cobb's (Johnny Friendly) gang joining in to pummel him.
After which, the crowd of dock workers refusing to go to work unless Terry comes with them, Malden pulls a con that I get a chuckle out of. He whispers in a battered Terry's ear that Friendly is placing odds that he won't get up.
Giving him the grit to do just that.
And we have a proper ending as he stumbles, nearly falling from the beating, through the warehouse doors, followed by the crowd of dock workers.
It's a helluva great ending to a great film. And yeah, it deserved its win. Absolutely.