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On the Waterfront
- Review Date: May 7, 2003
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 1954
Common Sense Media says
Raises important issues about the nature of power.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie raises some important issues about the nature of power.
What's the story?
ON THE WATERFRONT is the story of the men who had the courage to stand up to the corrupt longshoreman's union, which is controlled by Johnny (Lee J. Cobb). One of Johnny's top aides is Charley (Rod Steiger), whose brother Terry (Marlon Brando), a former prize-fighter, is treated almost like a mascot by Johnny -- he makes sure that Terry gets the best work assignments. After Terry unwittingly contributes to the death of a man named Joey, who dared to speak out about union corruption, Joey's sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint) goes to local priest Father Barry (Karl Malden) for help. Father Barry sets up a meeting to talk about what's going on, but everyone is too scared to speak up. Finally a man named Dugan (Pat Henning) agrees to talk, but tragedy strikes again. Meanwhile, Terry and Edie fall in love -- but Terry's troubles are just beginning.
Is it any good?
On the Waterfront contrasts two conflicting ways of looking at the world and especially at responsibility. Edie and Father Berry see a world in which people have an obligation to protect and support each other. Johnny sees the world as a place where what matters is taking as much as you can. Terry is somewhere in the middle, with his kindness to the Golden Warriors and his pigeons on one side and his willingness to take what Johnny's way of life has to offer on the other. In part, Terry falls in love not just with Edie, but with the vision of another life that Edie represents. Like Edie, Terry is inspired to fight back by a tragic death.
This movie also raises some important issues about the nature of power. At the beginning, Johnny seems very powerful, and power matters more to him than money. But it is clear that the choices he makes to protect that power, more than any action taken by anyone else, are the beginning of the end. As he orders people killed, even close associates, he begins to appear desperate. The men who will kick back a few dollars and stay "D&D" about corruption won't stand for that level of violence and uncertainty.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Joey's jacket is worn by three different characters. What do you think that means? What do you think of Edie's ideas about what makes people "mean and difficult?" Do you think that applies to Johnny? How does Johnny get power? How does he lose it?
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AGE
Good movie. Adult and teen will enjoy.
I really like this movie. Shows the reality of crooked unions leaders and a battle of justice for the "little guy"
May bore a young viewer (its filmed in black and white) but I recently watched it with a young teen who enjoyed it.
Violence is throughout movie. Thugs murdering and beating up people and animals, etc.
Overall, good message of fighting for what you believe in and not cowering to bullies with threats and weapons. Also shows how they went through appropriate channels to seek justice. Didn't just take law in own hands, but sought the judicial system and tried to settle things the right way first.
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AGE
Great Cinema!
Here is a film gritty, harsh, and violent, but also curiously compassionate and courageous. Here Marlon Brando gives the performance of his career, as Terry Malloy, pawn of a vicious mob boss. Here Elia Kazan takes a film shot in a violence-ridden location (cast and crew actually needed police protection) and makes it into a thing of beauty. This is must-see cinema, folks, although some violence makes it unsuitable for under 13. Though the violence isn't constant or gratuitous, when it does show up it hurts. Main characters are killed, shot, impaled, and crushed. One character is shot, and his body is hung on a fence for others to see. Many characters get in fights, and, in the end, the main character is bloodied up very badly. The main character is a good role model: though he initially makes bad choices, his guilt drives him to become a better, more responsible person who risks his life for justice.
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AGE
Classic good vs. evil story
I'll be perfectly honest: the first time I tried to watch this I fell asleep within the first few minutes. But that was a while ago, and the other month when I watched it, I was fully awake, and amazed at what I saw. Brando gives one of the screen's greatest performances as Terry, a man just trying to do good. The acting in this movie is phenomenal, and it should be at the top of everyone's classic movies list to see.
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Elia Kazan |
| Cast: | Karl Malden, Lee Cobb, Marlon Brando |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 28, 1954 |
| DVD release date: | January 23, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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