On the Waterfront (1954)

Absolutely Fantastic

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

This is a crime thriller that stuns me from the first minute to the last minute. You never know what Terry will do and what will happen to him. The performance of Marlon Brando is his career- best, even better than that in "The Godfather", and one of the best in the cinematic history. Moreover, the movie is still relevant even today. The "conscience vs. ego" and "loyalty vs. betrayal" debates never end.

A triumph of movies in its realistic depiction of a man alone bucking the system, "On The Waterfront" scores in another department for me. It's a prime example of a film overcoming what the late Roger Ebert liked to call "the idiot plot."As Mr. E. put it, the idiot plot is where a movie depends on its characters acting like complete dolts in order for it to function. Here, an idiot summons a pal to a roof knowing his bully buddies who want to silence the pal wait there, not figuring that they might, you know, push him off said roof and silence him for keeps.A priest kicks off a tense meeting by asking who killed the guy, thinking somehow someone will just blurt it out and not figuring a public forum might intimidate them into further silence.A union boss figures the best way to keep idiot #1 quiet is to kill his brother and hang him on a hook for him to see the night before said idiot is scheduled to give testimony. Oh, and when the guy tells what he knows anyway, the boss blows his top and attacks him in front of the press.Still, "On The Waterfront" triumphs over such qualms and delivers a solid story, aided by powerhouse performances. Marlon Brando centers everything with an assured turn as Terry Malloy, a former boxer turned goon for Longshoremen's Local 374. Sure, Terry's an idiot, but he has a lot of heart: "I figured the worst they were gonna do was lean on him a little bit. Wow. He wasn't a bad kid, that Joey."Brando's scenes with Eva Marie Saint as Joey's sister, Edie, retain a kind of raw power, of two people finding each other in a cruel world and making something good amid the carnage. Their scenes together have an intimacy and subtlety that make them stand out more. One critical moment between them, easy to miss, is when during their first extended time together, after she lets him do most of the talking, she quietly reveals she has had her eye on him for a long time, back at school when he was a troublemaker and she was just a mousy kid in braces and braids.Director Elia Kazan was at the midpoint of his distinguished career, and gets a lot of mileage off of scriptwriter Budd Schulberg's tough-talking script. The scenes around the pier hut where the union boys run their scams are crisp and flavorful, dominated by Lee J. Cobb's nasty Johnny Friendly. "Everything that moves in and out, we take our cut," he boasts.Here and elsewhere, there is an "on-the-nose" quality to the dialogue, and to the way the film is constructed. It's manipulative the way we see Terry shot in the mesh of his pigeon coop like he's in a web, or how a crossbeam gives an aspect of a crucifix whenever Edie appears. Yet it works. "On The Waterfront" is a kind of passion play for organized labor, arguing successfully that tolerating corruption makes for a sin of omission.The famous "coulda been a contender" scene with Brando and Rod Steiger as his brother Charlie remains parody-proof, and the socko ending with Terry's big confrontation at the dock remains one of the great moments of cinema. They are rare big scenes that fully earn their acclaim.I don't love "On The Waterfront." I find it too pushed in places, and not very convincing. But it still holds up well as a testament to what movies can do, and how they can make you feel.

ON THE WATERFRONT is a film that is based on a true story about union violence and corruption among port workers. Unusual, strong and very exciting story of informers who worked for the Mafia. The head of the trade union is linked to the Mafia and happy in his control of the docks. The police know that he was behind a series of murders, but witnesses pretending to be deaf and dumb, and accept their humiliating position rather than risk shame and betrayal. One docker in the end decides otherwise ...In the film, there are ideological, religious and political aspects. However, the true drama of crime and disadvantaged workers is not compromised. The atmosphere is quite authentic. Maybe it clearly define the class division, but it is not in this case topics. The film is somewhat controversial because it casts a dark stain on the very important aspects of life. It is fascinating that, despite everything, there is a story within a story. The main protagonist in the struggle with his own conscience.The fight against corruption and romance is definitely not fit. This is evident, and Mr. Kazan has tried to replace the classic romance with a strong passion. Dialogues are honest, at times brutal and concise. Together with excellent acting, they are the strongest elements of the film.Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy in the role of one amoral, uneducated and arms worker. He knows in life only two sides. Of course will join the one that would give him a livelihood. Character that is inhibited in any way. The realization of love, awakens his conscience. The change in the character is extraordinary. Between boxing and pigeons is real life.Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle is an excellent choice for the role of the daughter of an old employee and sister of murdered popular dockworker. It in this film gives a feeling of true tenderness and sensitivity. Karl Malden as Father Barry is a very strong character. The voice of reason. Religious influence in the story for me is redundant. However in this case is extremely strong this moral and human effects. Religious worker who is more devoted to their community (or even individuals) rather than God. It already makes sense. Lee J. Cobb as Michael J. Skelly aka "Johnny Friendly" is an effective villain. Rod Steiger as Charley "The Gent" Malloy, only one scene is enough to find and confess all weaknesses.In any case, a great movie, somewhat suggestive and quite intriguing with many different points of view.

I admit to knowing nothing about this film other than that it was the movie that Marlon Brando's famous line, "I coulda been a contender" came from. I guess this wasn't also the one where his famous "Stella!" line came from. I didn't know this film won so many Oscars, but it certainly deserves it. It really was interesting going into this movie completely blind and then being amazed at how great it was. I just love the characters in this movie. I didn't even know what the title meant. There's a nice little title drop and it's revealed the film is simply about working on the docks, literally near the front of the water. I live in Florida, you'd think I've heard of that before.The best character is probably the preacher. I just love the use of religious role models in films, particularly with how this guy talks about how we should be loyal Christians. Even as he's getting hit by random objects, he continues to discuss the importance of his beliefs. I also feel like this movie was just the right length. It's actually pretty short for a Best Picture Winner, but there's nothing wrong with that. There are so many genuinely exciting scenes and I totally get the romantic relationship with Terry (Marlon Brando). It's set up and paced very nicely. If you're a fan of well, anything, be sure to check this classic out! ****