On the Waterfront (1954)

If acting styles were put into biblical proportions, it would be separated into two groups, BB and AB (Before Brando and After Brando). Marlon Brando was the leading actor in the new acting style that evolved in the 1950's called The Method. The Method acting focused on real world emotions and performances. It erased the stylized acting choices found in films such as Gone with the Wind and, instead asked the actor to pull from their own lives in order to create a real and subtle performance.

Brando was the king of The Method court. He lead the charge by creating such completely realistic performances... so much so that you don't know where he ends and his characters begin. Even in a film with such a strong cast that On the Waterfront has, a cast which includes Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiger, Brando's performance is by far the best

On the Waterfront, directed by method filmmaker Elia Kazan, revolves around Terry Malloy (Brando), a washed up boxer who's brother (Steiger) is second to the local mafia boss (Cobb) in charge of the dock workers union. Malloy, who is coddled and protected by Cobb starts down a dangerous path when he befriends the sister (Saint) of a man killed for squealing to the cops. He finds himself in even greater trouble when he starts listening to a local priest (Malden) who is trying to end the corruption on the docks.

It culminates with a mentally simple, but strong Malloy who tries to do the right thing and take on Cobb and his influence, at peril to his own life.

What I found very interesting this time around was the films blatant Christian themes. As a matter of fact, in today's world this could easily be considered a Christian film. The priest publicly chastises the mafia powers, calling upon Jesus' example of how we are to treat each other. The speech last for five minutes and is 100% pro-Christ. Unfortunately, it's probably one of the last films where a priest is shown in high regard.

In any event, for either its Christian themes or its ground breaking performances, On the Waterfront is a great film to watch for any generation.