A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Imagining/fantasizing about being a character in the film, I'd love to inhabit the talked about role of Blanche's former boyfriend Shep Huntleigh, reconnecting with her while visiting New Orleans (one night when she sneaks off to a high class Mardi Gras ball), sweep her off her feet again (better than Malden managed to!) and rescue her from Stanley's sexual wrath! I'd take her on a cruise around the world and show her what its like to really be loved! God, Vivien Leigh was so sexy in this movie despite her deteriorating mental state and youth-obsessed nature (how old was she? 37 or 38???). There's hope for the character even in the real ending, leaving among the kindness of strangers, away from that hellish hovel!

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is a great film that pulsates in plenty of passion, cruelty and sharpness. This is a character drama in which you have a very complex and contradictory characters. Scene are scary realistic and relentlessly. I agree with the individuals that this film is milestone in Hollywood. This fact does not apply exclusively to acting. It includes the atmosphere, expression, music and partly scenery.The film is the true wealth of visual succubus. Of course, it's not nice to look at any kind of abuse. However, in this case the abuse is caused by the hopelessness, loneliness and insensitivity. Physical confrontation is tangible and real, full of fury and passion. It's funny to talk about conflict of aristocratic behavior with workers' hooliganism. This is the conflict between reality and illusion.In some scenes are definitely feel the excess energy turns into violence, lust or passion. A dramatic illustration of life in a society that fails. It is a story of anguish and tickles your fancy. Perhaps in this case, censorship is welcome. Let's leave aside the realism. Violent emotions are completely exempt. Therefore, we can talk about immorality, profanity and sinfulness. Two sexually voracious women express their sexuality in a completely different way. Violent husband who does not understand anything beyond his world and a bit confused suitor who recognized something different from the crude everyday.Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois, her amazing expression, expression, emotions and mood swings are memorable. Torment and tragedy of a woman who at any time he wants to be a lady. The fight led by herself, which is caused by the suicide of her boyfriend from her youth was an incredibly passionate. After all appearances breakdown preceded by a brutal rape (which should mean a sort of wake-up) and brings it to a complete collapse. Her performance is truly moving and flexible.Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski is brilliant. A loud, healthy, brutal and energetic male in shirt lesser of two numbers. It's amazing how much sympathy garnered immoral, smelly and sexually charged character. However, it is generally attentive husband who expresses his own frustration with physical force. He managed untangle a ball and unfortunately "punish the cat" in his own way.Kim Hunter as Stella Kowalski She's a young woman, torn in all directions. Character, which is a connection between two irreconcilable character. Pregnancy, beatings and stress are somewhat confused. It is interesting that she enjoys the rough, almost animal sexuality by her husband. Karl Malden as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell was somewhat embarrassed and shy suitor who wants to please his mother, who was on the bed. Uncouth character who is actually in the end defeated.Very realistic representation of the human tragedy through the game of shadows, violence, lust, passions, dreams and needs.

Well so far this is the oldest movie I've ever seen. I kind of feel like I don't have the right to criticize a movie that's over three times older than me, thankfully there's next to nothing to complain about. This is a movie that I feel can only be made once, there's just something about it that can't be captured again. Vivien Leigh has definitely made it onto my "Most Hated Character in Cinematic History" list. Not as high as Tiffany from "Silver Linings Playbook", or Abin Cooper from "Red State", but a good third place. She's just this compulsive liar that takes advantage of people who want to help her and plays the victim when they call her out on it. Unlike the other two previously mentioned characters, she at least gets what's coming to her by being sent to a mental hospital. It's because she actually gets punished that I would consider watching this again.Marlon Brando is like a powder keg in this. Every time he's on screen you get this feeling of paranoia at how he'll react to things. One minute he's nice, the next he's breaking plates, it's a chilling performance. The movie manages to show both the positives and negatives of the characters too. Brando might get drunk and hit his wife in one scene, but you can tell later he didn't mean for it to happen, and his performance matches that. Leigh might be a compulsive, self absorbed liar, but you feel kind of sorry for her as this made up world she's created starts to collapse all around her. It's a very well done drama, surprisingly enjoyable for me. To be honest, I didn't know if I would like this because I thought I wouldn't get the sayings and attitudes of an era long before my time, but it managed to keep me entertained and then some.Also the whole "Stanley (Brando) raped Blanche (Leigh)" scene, I don't believe it. I see it as just another lie that Blanche made up to satisfy her own ego. I feel like Stanley got so fed up with Blanche's lies that he overpowered her so she couldn't embarrass herself anymore. You could also look at the mirror cracking as her world shattering, because she then suffers a complete mental breakdown. But hey, it's up for interpretation I suppose. I don't know why you'd rape somebody for taking advantage of you and your pregnant wife though. I mean I've heard of "hate sex" but that's just a little too far. All jokes aside though, it isn't hard to see why this is still regarded as a classic, and I'm sure it'll stay that way long after I'm gone.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) **** (out of 4) Diva Blanche DuBois (Vivian Leigh) moves to New Orleasns to live with her younger sister Stella (Kim Hunter) but it doesn't take long for the sister's husband Stanley (Marlon Brando) to aim his brutish ways on her.A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE was a landmark play and it carried over to the big screen thanks in large part to the terrific performances as well as the frank sexuality. Some of the sexuality was edited out upon its original release but thankfully the footage was later restored. While the film doesn't contain the same power that it once had there's no question that it's still a refreshing slice of movie history.The greatest thing going for the film is without question the performances from the four main actors. Leigh delivers the greatest performance of her career as the mentally-ill sister who just can't keep out of her fantasy world. The nervous tension that Leigh gives the character is something truly refreshing to watch. Both Hunter and Karl Malden seem to get overlooked whenever the film is discussed but it's just because they're the supporting players to the leads. Both of them do a wonderful job in their roles and both are given plenty of scenes to shine.The real breakthrough is without question the work of Brando. Needless to say, he would go down in history as one of the greatest actors and in my opinion he is the greatest actor. The first time you see him here you can't help but feel as if a cold breeze just hit you because there really wasn't anything like him before. The method acting is spot=on perfect and there's just a certain rawness that jumps off the screen. This was all new at the time but even today you can't help but feel as if you're watching something original.There's some terrific cinematography, a great jazz score and some really great drama that comes through via the acting. As I said, some of the drama has been watered down over time but that doesn't take away what makes the film great and that are the performances and the direction of Elia Kazan.